Why is Hong Kong hosting the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting? There is another agenda

South China Morning Post - Oct 18, 2026

As Hong Kong hosts the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday, this two-part series examines the summit’s significance and its implications for Beijing on the global stage. In part one, Simpson Cheung and Alfred Lam explore how the event could elevate the city’s status as an international financial centre at a pivotal moment. Beijing’s decision to have Hong Kong host the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting this week is a deliberate move to galvanise the city’s standing as an offshore renminbi...

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In Shenzhen, drones are banned, shiny new hotels have opened their doors and taxi drivers are carrying devices that can translate nearly 150 languages. Since President Xi Jinping announced last year that China’s southern tech hub would host Apec meetings in November, the city has done all it can to get ready under the watchful eyes of the local, provincial and national authorities. While every Apec summit draws the world’s attention, this year’s edition is considered to be especially high-stakes...

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