Shenzhen deepens links with APEC economies

With around 100 days to go before the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the economic links between Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province and members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation are strengthening across multiple dimensions, spanning maritime logistics, business expansion and international consumption.

The APEC meeting will be held in Shenzhen on Nov 18 and 19, marking the third time that China hosts the event.

At Yantian International Container Terminals, stronger connections with Asia-Pacific markets are visible through the expansion of shipping services and trade flows.

"Yantian International operates an international shipping network with 100 weekly services, including 53 services connecting APEC members," said Pang Ning, general manager of carrier and intermodal transportation services in the commercial department of YICT.

"This year, we have launched 11 new international routes connecting APEC economies, including services linking Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia and Laem Chabang in Thailand, providing efficient and stable logistics services for Chinese manufacturers expanding into Asia-Pacific and global markets," Pang said.

In the first five months of this year, the value of imports and exports between enterprises on the Chinese mainland and in APEC economies through the Yantian Port reached nearly 400 billion yuan ($59 billion), accounting for about half of the port's total foreign trade value during the period.

The port has also strengthened support for emerging trade models. It currently operates more than 10 cross-border e-commerce express sea routes, providing logistics support for exporters of smart home appliances, 3D printers and portable consumer electronics.

Furthermore, Shenzhen is strengthening support for Chinese companies seeking to tap overseas markets. The Shenzhen International Business e-Station, the city's overseas business service platform, is supporting the "going global" drive of Chinese enterprises by integrating government resources and market services.

The platform has gathered more than 200 professional service providers and covers 70 categories of overseas business services.

"Taking advantage of the APEC meetings, we will further strengthen cooperation with APEC economies, including their governments and business groups," said Liu Yang, manager of Shenzhen International Business e-Station.

Liu said the platform aims to promote investment and business exchanges in both directions, attracting companies from APEC economies to Shenzhen while supporting Shenzhen enterprises in exploring overseas markets.

This year, the platform has organized promotion activities related to economies including Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, helping local companies learn about overseas opportunities, he added.

Beyond trade and business expansion, new growth momentum is also seen in international consumption between Shenzhen and other APEC economies.

Opened in August 2025, Shen­zhen's first downtown duty-free shop has developed a retail model combining duty-free shopping, tax refund services and duty-paid retail, aiming to improve services for overseas visitors. Through measures including the "one order, one package, one code" system, the tax refund process for eligible customers has been shortened to just about five minutes.

Yao Xi contributed to this story.

sally@chinadailyhk.com