Shenzhen prepares for APEC
In the run‑up to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the host city of Shenzhen is implementing a range of hospitality improvements — from bilingual night‑market menus and volunteer services to smart baggage screening and fast tax refunds — to welcome a growing influx of foreign tourists. When a city known for its technological innovation prepares to host leaders from Asia‑Pacific economies, it does so not only with polished conference halls, but through every detail that greets guests on the streets, in the airport and at night markets. Shenzhen, a rapidly growing metropolis, is turning into a city where technology and hospitality merge. Artificial intelligence helps tourists translate, robots deliver coffee to boarding gates, and baggage is screened even before passengers reach the carousel. These changes are not just about convenience — they send a signal to the world: China is open, accessible and ready to receive guests at the highest level.
At Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, AI‑powered translation devices have been introduced to assist foreign travellers. "This is very helpful. It's a good idea," said one foreign passenger. As part of APEC preparations, Shenzhen Customs has for the first time applied pre‑clearance in the international arrivals area, integrating X‑ray machines and CT‑type baggage inspection equipment into the baggage sorting line. This allows every checked bag to be inspected before passengers pick it up. Thanks to an intelligent image analysis system, high‑risk baggage can be accurately identified, while the vast majority of non‑problematic baggage is cleared immediately. Passenger customs clearance time has been reduced to less than 15 minutes, and overall customs efficiency has increased by more than 60 percent thanks to these measures. But that is not all: the service has become even more thoughtful. If passengers want a cup of coffee or bubble tea at the airport, they do not need to drag heavy bags around in search of a shop. They can order by phone, and within 10 minutes a robot will deliver it right to the boarding gate. In the alleys of Shenzhen, volunteers can be seen in many places. Local authorities have offered various training courses for civilian volunteers, covering topics such as etiquette and hospitality, as well as ways to promote the city's image. At night markets in the Futian district, bilingual menus are now available. Foreign tourists can understand everything at a glance. The district has also prepared bilingual restaurant guides, so visitors know exactly what each shop offers and what the signature dishes are. "We always get a little nervous or worried that we won't understand what we want to order. But having a bilingual option, including English, is really great," said a foreign tourist. Now it has become even easier for foreign tourists to shop in Shenzhen. They can link international bank cards to WeChat Pay for QR‑code payments, and when leaving the country, self‑service tax refund kiosks supporting 13 languages at airports and border crossings allow them to complete the process in just two to three minutes.
Shenzhen, which has transformed from a fishing village into a global technology hub over the past decades, has long been known for its innovations. However, preparations for the APEC summit have acted as a catalyst for introducing a range of innovations in tourism and services. According to city authorities, Shenzhen welcomed more than 6 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2026, up 25% from the previous year. City authorities expect visitor numbers to increase significantly during the summit, and all the innovations – from AI translators to delivery robots – are aimed at making every visitor feel comfortable. Special attention is being paid to the digitalisation of services: the integration of international payment systems and simplified tax refunds make Shenzhen one of the most convenient cities for foreign travellers. Volunteer programmes, staff training and bilingual materials at night markets reflect a systematic approach to improving service quality.
As CCTV+ reports, Shenzhen is preparing for the APEC leaders' meeting not only as a diplomatic event, but also as an opportunity to demonstrate to the world its openness, technological maturity and ability to create a comfortable environment for everyone who crosses its borders.
