An APEC 2026 display in Shenzhen promotes the upcoming APEC meetings, which the city will host in November. File photo

Businesses can now apply to attend the 2026 APEC CEO Summit, which will bring political and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to Shenzhen in November.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, or CCPIT, has opened a pre-registration channel for companies, with applications due by Sept. 17, according to information released by the organizer.

The summit is expected to draw about 1,000 participants, including leaders and government representatives from APEC economies, heads of international organizations, members of the APEC Business Advisory Council, corporate executives, trade and investment promotion agencies, media and think tanks.

Discussions are expected to cover regional trade and investment, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, clean energy, green finance, supply chains, connectivity and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Organizers also plan to release the “2026 APEC CEO Summit Shenzhen Initiative” during the event.

The CEO Summit is held alongside APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and provides a forum for business executives to engage with leaders and ministers. Shenzhen will host APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November as China serves as the APEC host economy for 2026.

Ren Hongbin, chairman of CCPIT and chair of the 2026 APEC CEO Summit, invited business representatives from across the region to attend the Shenzhen meeting during the third APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in Bangkok in July.

Ren said Shenzhen’s technology and manufacturing base made it a fitting venue for discussions on innovation and regional economic cooperation. The city is home to major companies including Huawei, Tencent and BYD.

CCPIT has cautioned companies against unofficial invitations or paid registration services, saying it has not authorized outside organizations or individuals to recruit summit participants. Registration information is being released through CCPIT and the summit’s official channels.

Interested companies can apply through CCPIT’s official event platform at the APEC CEO Summit 2026 registration page https://bizevent.ccpit.org/meetings/4482. Questions about registration can be mail to apecceosummit2026@ccoic.cn.