As the 100-day countdown begins for the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, host city Shenzhen is positioning itself as a living showcase of China’s technological ambitions. When international delegates arrive in November, they will navigate a metropolis where artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing are deeply woven into the urban fabric. The event marks China’s third time hosting the prestigious summit, following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014, and state media is heavily promoting Shenzhen’s transformation from a manufacturing hub to a global center for emerging industries.
Adjacent to Hong Kong, Shenzhen was one of China’s original special economic zones. Four decades later, it serves as the headquarters for technology heavyweights, including Huawei, Tencent, BYD, DJI, and UBTECH. This dense concentration of capital and engineering talent has fostered a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups spanning artificial intelligence, new energy, and autonomous systems.
The economic impact of this technological clustering is substantial. In the first half of 2026, Shenzhen’s trade with other APEC economies surged 33 percent to reach 1.98 trillion yuan ($291.6 billion). This trade volume accounts for 68.8 percent of the city’s total foreign trade, highlighting its deep integration into the Asia-Pacific supply chain and its role as a primary engine for China’s new growth drivers.
The Low-Altitude Economy Takes Flight
Perhaps the most visible manifestation of Shenzhen’s technological integration is its sky. The city has become the epicenter of China’s “low-altitude economy,” a sector heavily promoted by Beijing as a new frontier for economic growth. According to official data, approximately 70 percent of China’s consumer drones and half of its industrial drones are manufactured in Shenzhen, anchored by industry leader DJI.
Beyond manufacturing, Shenzhen serves as a vast testing ground for commercial drone applications. Food-delivery giant Meituan pioneered its first drone-delivery routes in the city several years ago. By the end of June 2026, Meituan’s drones were fulfilling orders from over 1,500 merchants, including major international and domestic chains like KFC, McDonald’s, and Chagee. The sight of automated drones zipping across city blocks to deliver meals has become a routine aspect of daily life.
To support this rapid expansion, the municipal government has heavily invested in dedicated infrastructure. Shenzhen has constructed more than 1,200 low-altitude takeoff and landing facilities and established 310 designated logistics routes. The volume of autonomous traffic is staggering: cargo drones completed more than 1 million flights in 2025, representing a 29 percent increase from the previous year. This physical infrastructure is supported by progressive local legislation, with Shenzhen becoming the first Chinese city to introduce specific management rules for civilian light and micro drones in 2019.
A Global Hub for Robotics and AI
On the ground, Shenzhen’s factories and research centers are driving China’s aggressive push into physical artificial intelligence. The city has fostered a new generation of robotics companies, including UBTECH, Honor, and Leju Robot. By the end of 2025, Shenzhen was home to 34 publicly listed robotics companies and nine unicorns, creating a dense network of specialized hardware and software suppliers.
The sector’s expansion has been explosive. Production of humanoid robots in the city surged 83.1 percent year-on-year to reach 343,400 units last year. The total industrial output value of the robotics sector in Shenzhen exceeded 240 billion yuan, representing growth of over 20 percent from the previous year. This manufacturing muscle is increasingly paired with advanced software capabilities, as the city hosts more than 2,600 major AI companies.
Shenzhen’s AI industry spans the entire technological stack, from the development of specialized AI chips and algorithm frameworks to the training of foundation models and the creation of consumer hardware. Products integrating these technologies, such as AI-enabled smartphones, real-time translation earbuds, smart glasses, and intelligent educational toys, are rapidly expanding their reach in both domestic and international markets.
Electrifying the Urban Environment
The integration of advanced technology extends to the city’s transportation infrastructure, where Shenzhen has established itself as a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs). The city boasts one of China’s most complete industrial ecosystems for electrification, encompassing lithium battery materials, energy storage integration, and end-use automotive manufacturing.
This ecosystem is anchored by BYD, which surpassed Tesla in global electric vehicle sales last year, selling approximately 2.26 million units in 2025. The company’s vehicles are now exported to 119 countries and regions, driving Shenzhen’s export growth. Alongside manufacturing giants, the city supports a thriving autonomous driving sector, hosting more than 1,400 companies focused on intelligent vehicle technologies.
To power this electrified fleet, Shenzhen has undertaken a massive infrastructure initiative. In 2023, the municipal government launched a campaign to transform Shenzhen into a “city of superchargers.” By 2024, the number of supercharging facilities had surpassed conventional petrol stations. Currently, the city operates more than 1,200 ultra-fast charging stations capable of delivering 480 kilowatts or more, ensuring the rapid turnaround required for a fully electrified urban transport network. As APEC delegates arrive, they will witness a city that has largely realized the transition away from internal combustion engines.