One-month countdown begins for Shenzhen APEC summit

Residents sign a pledge to help make the city warm and welcoming to international guests for the APEC meetings at Shenzhen Library (North Division) in Longhua District on Saturday, part of a citywide signature campaign launched Saturday that has drawn 2 million signatories so far. Liu Xudong

A Ceremony marking the one-month countdown to the Nov. 18-19 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen was held at the UpperHills shopping mall in Futian District on Saturday, with organizers calling on residents to help welcome visitors from around the world.

Xiangmihu Road in Futian District is decorated for the APEC meetings in November. Shenzhen is getting into a festive mood ahead of the APEC meetings, with landmarks across the city decorated for the occasion — from

eye-catching APEC-themed street installations to carefully crafted green sculptures in its parks. Lai Li

The event, themed “With Open Arms, We Welcome APEC,” urged people across the city to take part in preparations, emphasizing that every resident has a role in welcoming guests.

Organizers launched a citywide signature campaign at the event. Residents from different walks of life across the city signed a pledge to welcome visitors, use greener transportation, take part in volunteer activities and help make the city warm and welcoming to international guests. So far, 2 million residents have signed the pledge across the city.

People pose for photos in front of a giant APEC-themed flowerbed at Lianhua Hill Park, Futian District, on Saturday. Xinhua

Last week, Shenzhen launched a green travel campaign, encouraging residents to drive less and use public transportation during the workweek of the APEC meetings, Nov. 16-20.

Companies are being encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements to ease commuting pressure and consider eligible employees’ preferences when scheduling paid annual leave.

Applications for the green travel campaign opened at 10 a.m. Thursday. By Saturday noon, more than 270,000 people had registered, pledging to commute by public transport during the APEC meetings in November.