From December 11th to 12th, the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting was held in Shenzhen, marking the beginning of the APEC “China Year.”

Shenzhen is a crucial window for China’s steadfast commitment to a mutually beneficial and win-win opening-up strategy. Hosting the APEC meeting is a significant task entrusted to Shenzhen by the central government and a major opportunity for the city to accelerate its development into a more globally influential economic center and a modern international metropolis.

In February of this year, Shenzhen implemented the “Work Plan for Accelerating the Construction of a Modern International Metropolis (2025-2027)” as its No. 1 municipal policy document, outlining a comprehensive blueprint for building a modern international metropolis.

As the lead department for this initiative, the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has collaborated with various city units, taking proactive steps and ensuring implementation. This has led to tangible progress in enhancing the city’s international economic competitiveness, building high-level windows for opening up, creating a first-class international environment for living, working, and tourism, and shaping the city’s international brand image.

Advancing the Dual Enhancement of International Language Soft and Hard Environments

Building an international language environment is a key component of developing a modern international metropolis. A language environment conducive to opening up and international exchange reflects the city’s global image and is a source of its competitiveness.

This year, Shenzhen issued the “Action Plan for Further Strengthening International Language Environment Construction (2025-2027),” aiming to optimize the international language environment by improving translation standards, establishing collaborative mechanisms, and building a translation and writing query platform. The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, together with district and departmental authorities, has steadily advanced 21 key tasks across 7 areas, including compiling foreign language public signage manuals for key sectors, improving collaborative mechanisms for international language environment construction, and expanding the coverage of foreign language public signage.

Among these, enhancing the guidance and service level of foreign language public signage in public spaces is a crucial measure.

Standardized bilingual Chinese-English signage has been upgraded on 16 municipal expressways and main roads; over 1,000 foreign language signs in urban public spaces have been standardized; professional teams conduct regular inspections and supervision of foreign language public signage; city-wide training on foreign language public signage has been organized… The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office maintains consistent efforts and proactive service, further increasing inspection and service intensity for foreign language signage, continuously improving its guidance level, and ensuring signage is installed where needed and meets standards.

The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office developed and officially launched the Public Signage Chinese-English Translation Query System (Shenzhen) in October 2023. The system includes sections for querying standardized translations, public signage information, and a “citizen snapshot” feature, containing over 17,000 entries of foreign language public signage. Citizens actively participate in identifying gaps and errors through the system’s “snapshot” function, submitting over a thousand translation suggestions, which are then studied, feedback provided, and corrections made by expert panels.

Leveraging its strengths in technological innovation, Shenzhen is integrating artificial intelligence into international language environment construction, building a city-wide smart language service system covering key areas.

Currently, Shenzhen has deployed over 6,700 sets of AI translation devices, covering subways, buses, taxis, the airport, Shekou Cruise Home Port, and 7 land ports. They are also available in 147 government service venues, key cultural venues, and 5A-level scenic spots, with deployments being promoted in major commercial districts like Shenye Shangcheng, Qianhai Yifang City, and Bao’an Daqianli.

“The AI translator quickly and accurately translates my English into Chinese, and the driver can communicate smoothly with me through it. The experience is fantastic.” The “Little Yellow Hat” taxis operated by Shenzhen Bus Group have fully implemented the MossTalk AI smart translation device, supporting real-time translation for over 140 languages, enabling “zero-bar

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to promote free trade, sustainable growth, and economic cooperation across the Pacific Rim. It operates as a non-binding forum where its 21 member economies discuss policy and set goals, with its annual leaders’ meeting being a major diplomatic event. APEC’s history is marked by efforts to reduce trade barriers and foster integration, notably through the 1994 “Bogor Goals” which set targets for free and open trade in the region.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major modern city in Guangdong Province, China, adjacent to Hong Kong. Originally a small fishing village, it was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, which catalyzed its rapid transformation into a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and finance. Today, it is known for its skyscrapers, innovation, and as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies like Huawei and Tencent.

Shekou Cruise Home Port

Shekou Cruise Home Port is a major cruise terminal in Shenzhen, China, opened in 2016 as part of the city’s push to become a regional tourism hub. It serves as a key homeport for international cruise lines operating itineraries in the South China Sea and to destinations across Asia. The port was developed on the site of the historic Shekou Port, an important industrial and ferry harbor since the late 1970s during Shenzhen’s early economic reforms.

Shenye Shangcheng

Shenye Shangcheng (Shenzhen Museum of Ancient History) is a reconstructed archaeological site and museum complex in Shenzhen, China, showcasing the remains of an ancient city. It is based on the discovery of a Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) settlement, making it one of the earliest urban sites in the Shenzhen and Hong Kong region. The museum presents artifacts and foundations that reveal the early maritime culture and social structure of the area over 3,000 years ago.

Qianhai Yifang City

Qianhai Yifang City is a modern commercial and cultural complex located in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen, China. It was developed as part of the Qianhai area’s rapid urbanization and economic opening in the 2010s, designed to integrate retail, entertainment, and office spaces. The site reflects Shenzhen’s contemporary focus on innovation and serves as a hub for business and leisure in this strategically important economic district.

Bao’an Daqianli

“Bao’an Daqianli” is a modern commercial and residential complex located in the Bao’an District of Shenzhen, China. It does not have a significant historical background as it is a contemporary development, reflecting Shenzhen’s rapid urbanization and economic growth from the late 20th century onward. The area exemplifies the city’s transformation from a small fishing village into a major global metropolis.

Shenzhen Bus Group

Shenzhen Bus Group is a major public transportation operator in Shenzhen, China, established in 1975 to serve the city’s early development. It has since grown into one of the largest and most modern bus companies in China, playing a key role in the city’s rapid urbanization and expansion, notably by pioneering the adoption of electric buses on a massive scale.

MossTalk AI smart translation device

The MossTalk AI smart translation device is a modern technological product, not a historical place or cultural site. It is a portable gadget that uses artificial intelligence to provide real-time speech and text translation between numerous languages. Its “history” is very recent, emerging in the 2020s as part of the ongoing development of consumer AI and communication tools to break down language barriers for travelers and business professionals.