Union Comm Featured by Leading Chinese Media for Insights on Shenzhen’s APEC 2026 Role

As Shenzhen prepares to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026, discussions on how the city can best present itself as an open, innovative, and inclusive hub were drawing international attention.

Recently, Sam Han, Partner at Union Communications Hong Kong Limited ("Union Comm"), shared his views on Shenzhen’s positioning in the APEC context. His insights have been featured by multiple major Chinese media outlets, including Yicai (China Business Network), Dutenews (Shenzhen Portal), and the Nanshan Global Service Center.

1. Yicai: “How Should Shenzhen Embrace APEC?” — Experts Offer Key Recommendations

In Yicai’s feature article How Should Shenzhen Embrace APEC? Experts Share Key Insights (Link: https://www.yicai.com/news/102895513.html

Han noted that APEC is not only a platform for Shenzhen, but also an opportunity for China to showcase its evolving openness to the Asia-Pacific region.

He emphasized that Shenzhen’s development aligns perfectly with APEC’s founding spirit, and that the city can serve as a strategic interface linking China’s innovation with the region’s economic cooperation. “Shenzhen can act as China’s bridge to APEC economies,” said Han. “By integrating innovation, industry, and collaboration, the city can turn openness into practical connectivity and mutual prosperity.”

2. Dutenews: “Shenzhen Embarks on a New APEC Chapter — How the Innovation Hub Tells Its Story”

The Shenzhen government’s official news portal Dutenews published a dedicated interview with Union Communications titled Shenzhen Embarks on a New APEC Chapter: How the Innovation Hub Tells Its Story (Link: https://www.dutenews.com/n/article/10210664?from=app&client=1

In the interview, Han shared that Shenzhen’s appeal lies not only in its technological prowess but also in its attention to civic detail and governance efficiency, from smoke-free public spaces and clean facilities to the signature “Shenzhen speed” in business-government coordination.

He also introduced his “APEC Public Goods Narrative Model”, first presented at Tsinghua University. It outlined four dimensions that define effective international storytelling: technological expression, application scenario, social value, and regional synergy.

This model, he noted, provides a useful framework for Shenzhen to communicate its innovation stories with broader global resonance.

3. Nanshan Global Service Center: From Urban Innovation to International Collaboration

The Nanshan Global Service Center also reposted Han’s interview via its official WeChat account (link: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Qb33bYw48l-nmQzbuIEPSA?scene=1&click_id=28 ), highlighting Union Comm’s forward-looking recommendations for APEC 2026 preparations.

Han proposed three strategic action directions for Shenzhen:

Union Comm is a strategic consultancy specializing in policy advocacy, public affairs, and international communications. The firm has participated in multiple multilateral initiatives under APEC, BRICS, and the G20, contributing research reports, concept notes, and media strategies that help enterprises, institutions, and cities communicate effectively on the global stage.