As a key parallel session of the APEC SME Business Forum 2026, the "AI Empowering Asia-Pacific SME Industrial Development Forum" was held at the Yinhu Conference Center in Shenzhen’s Luohu on the afternoon of June 24. File photo

As a key parallel session of the APEC SME Business Forum 2026, the "AI Empowering Asia-Pacific SME Industrial Development Forum" was held at the Yinhu Conference Center in Shenzhen’s Luohu on the afternoon of June 24. 

The forum, which was themed "Industrial Upgrading – A New Paradigm for SME Development Driven by AI," attracted experts and corporate representatives from more than 500 companies to discuss the future of frontier technologies such as OpenHarmony, RISC-V, and embodied artificial intelligence (AI), computing power infrastructure, large AI models, intelligent terminals, and industry application solutions. 

The forum delved into global AI development trends, cross-border cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and technology commercialization pathways, aiming to help Asia-Pacific SMEs achieve industrial upgrades through artificial intelligence.

An onsite exhibition showcased 77 product categories from 30 innovative firms, ranging from advanced robotics to AI-powered wearables.

Ma Zhaoyuan, a tenured professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, speaks at the forum. File photo

Keynote speakers emphasized the necessity of integrating AI into the real economy. Ma Zhaoyuan, a tenured professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, highlighted that the fusion of AI and manufacturing is now "inevitable." Xiao Jing, chief scientist of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, proposed a three-pillar strategy for growth: 

● Strengthening the underlying technology foundation.

● Expanding practical application scenarios.

● Deepening AI ethical governance.

Corporate executives from Shenzhen ENRIGIN Technology Co., Huawei Terminal HarmonyOS and X Square Robot showcased their achievements in all-in-one AI computing appliances, OpenHarmony-powered lightweight intelligent solutions, and embodied intelligence foundation models, respectively. 

The forum called for a transition in how SMEs are supported. Cao Zhongxiong, assistant to the president of the China (Shenzhen) Institute of Comprehensive Development, advocated for a shift toward "stimulating creativity" and "ecosystem building."

To support this ecosystem, various speakers introduced specialized solutions:

● Plug and Play China: Facilitating cross-border collaboration.

● China Telecom: Providing inclusive computing power.

● PICC: Offering technology-specific insurance products.

Luohu-based companies also demonstrated "AI+" applications in traditional sectors. Shenzhen Hipine Precision Technology Co., for instance, launched an AI management system tailored for the gold and jewelry retail industry, a cornerstone of Luohu’s economy.

The event also marked the release of the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Development White Paper, confirming Shenzhen's leading status in China’s AI sector. Additionally, a strategic partnership was signed between Shenzhen Sensing Data Technology Co. and Shenzhen University to develop advanced data acquisition systems for embodied AI.

Luohu is positioning itself as a "scenario-driven" hub for AI development. To attract and retain high-tech companies, the district has unveiled several major initiatives:

● Financial support: A total industrial fund matrix of nearly 60 billion yuan (US$8.84 billion).

● Infrastructure: One million square meters of premium industrial space available on a "sign-and-use" basis.

● Testing grounds: More than 100 "urban testing grounds" to encourage the "first trial and first use" of new technologies.

● Regional cooperation: The development of the Asia-Pacific SME cooperation zone, which last year received approval for its establishment in Luohu, to align local rules with international standards.

"Luohu provides a fertile ground for AI development," said an exec from Shenzhen Sensing Data. "The abundance of application scenarios allows products to find their 'first landing point' quickly, giving companies a strong foundation to thrive."

The APEC SME Business Forum 2026, a three-day event for APEC economies to boost cooperation and tap opportunities in Shenzhen, was held in Luohu from June 23 to June 25. 

Since its launch in 2017, the forum has been hosted in China six consecutive times. Under the theme "Digital Intelligence Empowers, Open Innovation Drives, Win-Win Cooperation Prevails," this year’s event was attended by 75 international guests from 13 APEC economies.

As the host venue for this year’s forum, Luohu established the Asia-Pacific SME Cooperation Zone last year, which is designated one of China’s 29 Sino-foreign SME cooperation zones.

During the forum, numerous business and research institutions from China, South Korea, Indonesia, and other countries signed strategic cooperation agreements in areas such as the commercialization of scientific and technological innovations, the operation of cross-border industrial parks, and internationalization services for companies.