Canton – September 10, 2026 -- More than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region and international organizations gathered in Shenzhen on September 5 for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026, held in China's Guangdong province ahead of the APEC 2026 economic leaders' meeting scheduled for November in China.
Forum convenes ahead of APEC leaders' meeting
The APMF 2026 opened in Shenzhen with delegations touring Guangdong province prior to the main event, examining local industrial and manufacturing operations firsthand. The visits were organized to give journalists and experts direct exposure to supply chain infrastructure and investment activity in the region.
Debate centers on manufacturing's global impact
Discussions at the forum addressed whether China's expanding manufacturing sector displaces opportunities for other economies or creates new openings for them. Participants examined trade data, supply chain linkages, and investment flows tied to developing economies as part of the broader inquiry into China's role in global manufacturing networks.
The forum's focus on manufacturing competitiveness comes as China prepares to host APEC's economic leaders in November 2026, placing renewed scrutiny on the country's industrial capacity and its effect on trading partners across the Asia-Pacific region.