From February 1 to 10, the first event of the APEC "China Year," the APEC China 2026 First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM1), is held in Guangzhou.
While high-level meetings and strategic dialogues occur in grand conference halls, one might wonder: what does such a monumental event truly have to do with the average citizen?
The answer, it turns out, is not found in a distant conference venue but right here in the rhythmic hustle of Guangzhou's markets and supermarkets.
A world on the shelves
In the supermarkets, the APEC member economies are represented on almost every shelf. In the rice section, you'll find famous Thai fragrant rice; a few steps away, the oil section features premium Australian oils.
The sauce and vinegar category has gone global too, ranging from Japanese vinegar to savory Thai Tom Yum. Even the simple pleasure of a midnight snack is international, with Japanese instant noodles often found at a bargain price of just 3 yuan.
The fruit section is also a vibrant map of the Asia-Pacific. Here, one can find big Chilean cherries, Malaysian durian, and Mexican bananas. Whether it is Australian peaches arriving by air, Philippine pineapples, or massive Peruvian mangoes, the diversity on display proves that the "APEC pulse" is a tangible, sensory experience in the daily lives of the Guangzhou people.
From supermarkets to century-old market streets
The journey of discovery continues beyond the modern supermarket, at Yide Road, a century-old market street, and Wanling Square. Here, a turn at a corner brings you face-to-face with sweet candies from Russia or sun-ripened prunes from California.
The connection grows even deeper when exploring lifestyle and fashion. From chic South Korean bags and accessories to toys from the United States, the world's creativity is on full display. It is in these small, everyday transactions that the true spirit of cooperation comes to life.
This vibrant exchange is a two-way street. Among the local crowds, foreign friends are frequently spotted selecting Guangdong-made products to take back home. This is the reality of Guangzhou: a city with international trade engraved in its DNA.
As we witness the APEC meetings in Guangzhou, it becomes clear that APEC is not just about policies and protocols. It is the very energy found in our local stalls, the variety in our shopping baskets, and the shared prosperity that connects a Guangzhou street to the rest of the world. For the people of this city, living the reality of APEC isn't a special event—it's every single day.