President Claudia Sheinbaum travels to China for APEC summit

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo traveled to Shenzhen, China, to participate in the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. The President departed from Mexico City International Airport on November 15, 2026, via a commercial flight. The journey includes a layover in Tijuana, Baja California, with an estimated total travel duration of 21 hours.

Summit objectives and meetings

The summit is scheduled to take place from November 17 to November 19, 2026. During the event, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President will also serve as a keynote speaker before the APEC Business Advisory Council, which is an assembly consisting of over 1,000 international business leaders.

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo will present Plan México during the summit. This initiative aims to promote foreign investment, strengthen national production, and balance trade with Asia. The trip seeks to position Mexico as a competitive destination for Pacific Rim investors and manage trade tensions with Beijing while maintaining relations with the United States and Canada under T-MEC.

The APEC forum includes 21 economies that represent more than 60% of global GDP and 50% of world trade. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stated that Mexico is an APEC member and she will connect to the morning press conference remotely while participating in the forum and meeting with business leaders.

Mexican delegation and domestic leadership

The Mexican delegation accompanying the President includes several high-ranking officials. Marcelo Ebrard serves as the Secretary of Economy, and Roberto Velasco serves as the Secretary of Foreign Relations. The group also includes Alicia Bárcena, the Secretary of Environment, Rosaura Ruiz, the Secretary of Science and Technology, and Luz Elena González, the Secretary of Energy.

While the President is abroad, Rosa Icela Rodríguez will lead the morning press conferences at the National Palace. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is scheduled to return to Mexico in the early hours of November 20, 2026. Upon her return, the President will lead commemorations for the 116th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.

Airport departure details

The President arrived at Mexico City International Airport after 23:00 on Saturday. According to reports, the President went directly to Gate 23 without passing through international departure filters. During her time at the airport, the President took photos with passengers and crew and met with officials from the Chinese Embassy in Mexico.

Glossary

• APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting — The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is a forum that includes 21 economies. It is an event where leaders gather, and it includes the official agenda of the APEC Business Advisory Council.
• T-MEC — T-MEC is a treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It is an instance of subregional integration in the Americas.
• APEC — APEC is a forum that includes 21 economies representing more than 60% of global GDP and 50% of world trade. Mexico is a member of APEC.
• Secretary of Environment — The Secretary of Environment is a high-ranking official within the Mexican delegation. In the Philippines, this role is known as the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.
• APEC Business Advisory Council — The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is a business advisory body. It is composed of three business executives from each member-country.