The Asia-Pacific Media Forum brought more than 400 delegates from 42 countries and regions to Shenzhen on September 5, producing a new regional partnership, a media cooperation initiative and the Shenzhen Consensus ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year.
Representatives came from over 220 media organizations, think tanks, government agencies, diplomatic missions, UN agencies and international organizations. The programme examined how media cooperation, artificial intelligence and joint content production could support economic and social development across the Asia-Pacific.
Held under the theme “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action,” the forum was organized as one of the major events connected with China’s APEC 2026 programme, according to China Daily.
New Partnership Formalizes Regional Media Cooperation
The forum launched the organizing committee for the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Program, established by 16 founding media organizations from China and other participating markets.
Media representatives also exchanged cooperation documents and introduced the “Gather in Shenzhen, Create a Better Asia-Pacific” initiative. These outcomes are intended to move regional media relations from occasional exchanges towards more structured, continuing cooperation.
The agreements do not represent commercial contracts with disclosed transaction values. Instead, they establish frameworks through which participating organizations can share technology, jointly produce content and develop training programmes.
For media companies, technology providers and international communications agencies, the practical value will depend on how these frameworks are converted into projects, procurement opportunities and long-term organizational partnerships.
The forum also released the Shenzhen Consensus, which calls for open cooperation, support for the multilateral trading system and wider reporting on regional connectivity, industrial development and supply-chain stability. It also promotes greater use of AI within the media industry, according to Xinhua’s report on the forum outcomes.
Shenzhen Initiative Focuses on Technology, Content and Talent
The Shenzhen media cooperation initiative is organized around three principal areas:
- Technology sharing
- Joint content creation
- Media talent development
Under the technology pillar, Shenzhen plans to establish an Asia-Pacific Digital and Smart Media Intelligence Center. The proposed centre will give participating organizations access to digital-media laboratories, application scenarios and technologies linked to the open-source OpenHarmony ecosystem.
The content pillar will introduce the “Witness Miracles, Seek Solutions” programme. Media partners will be invited to produce and distribute collaborative reporting projects using Shenzhen and the wider Greater Bay Area as case studies.
The third component establishes a training base for Asia-Pacific youth media professionals. The programme is expected to invite media workers—particularly professionals under the age of 45—to Shenzhen for training, study visits and industry exchanges.
Together, the three areas could create opportunities for companies offering AI media tools, content-management systems, video production technology, localization, training and cross-border communications services.
Technology Exhibition Highlights AI and Smart-Media Applications
A technology exhibition held alongside the forum presented products from more than 30 Greater Bay Area companies.
The exhibition was divided into four areas covering intelligent media technology, embodied AI, smart cities and smart living. Products included robots, 3D-printing applications and other technologies developed in Guangdong, as documented in Xinhua’s exhibition coverage.
The inclusion of a technology exhibition broadened the forum beyond policy discussions and media networking. It gave participating organizations an opportunity to examine technologies that could be used in news production, broadcasting, audience engagement and digital-content distribution.
AI was also prominent in the Shenzhen Consensus. Participants supported expanding its application in media while emphasizing professional principles including accuracy, objectivity and responsible communication.
For technology vendors, the media industry represents a potential market for products involving automated translation, content verification, video production, virtual presenters, audience analytics and multilingual distribution. However, international adoption will depend on technical compatibility, editorial requirements and national regulations.
Forum Builds Momentum Towards APEC 2026
Shenzhen will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November 2026. China has identified openness, innovation and cooperation as its three main priorities for its APEC host year, with additional attention to digital technologies, artificial intelligence and supply-chain resilience, according to the APEC Secretariat.
The media forum complements that programme by building channels through which organizations can exchange information, produce regional content and train professionals. It also gives Shenzhen another opportunity to present itself as an international centre for technology and advanced manufacturing.
The Shenzhen Government’s APEC 2026 portal lists a broad programme of ministerial meetings, industry dialogues and related activities taking place across China throughout the year.
Although the Asia-Pacific Media Forum is primarily a media and policy event, its emphasis on technology partnerships and cross-border communication has relevance for companies expanding within the region. Businesses attending trade shows and business events in Shenzhen increasingly require multilingual media, localization and communications support to reach international buyers.
The forum’s longer-term importance will therefore be measured by whether its newly established structures produce recurring training, technology-sharing and joint-production projects beyond APEC 2026.
Source: Guangdong Province; Xinhua News Agency; China Daily; APEC Secretariat.
