Guangzhou – September 7, 2026 -- More than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region and international organizations convened in Shenzhen on September 5 for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026, a gathering positioned ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled to take place in China this November.
Forum brings together 400+ delegates in Guangdong province
Journalists and industry experts touring Guangdong province examined China's manufacturing sector and industrial development firsthand before the forum's official opening. The visits were designed to give international media direct exposure to supply chains and investment activity in one of China's most export-intensive regions.
Central question centers on manufacturing's global impact
Discussions at the forum, part of a broader "China Xplained" reporting series produced by South, focused on a single strategic question for global trade: does China's manufacturing expansion crowd out competing economies, or does it open new commercial opportunities for them? The series examines trade figures, supply chain data, and investment flows alongside perspectives gathered from developing economies to assess the net effect of China's industrial scale on international markets.
APEC meeting in November raises stakes for regional trade policy
The timing of the forum, staged months ahead of the APEC leaders' summit in China, places manufacturing competitiveness and supply chain positioning squarely on the agenda for policymakers and executives across the Asia-Pacific region.