Overview

On August 21, 2026, youth leaders representing 13 Asia‑Pacific countries and regions convened in Shenzhen, Guangdong, for the "Asia‑Pacific Youth Gathering: Building a Shared Future Through Energy". The gathering brought together more than 60 experts, scholars, young delegates and journalists and was co‑hosted by the China International Publishing Center, CSG Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau and CSG Digital Media Technology, with support from the Shenzhen Youth Federation and the APEC Sustainable Energy Center.

Site Visits and Demonstrations

Participants visited the 110 kV Chunhui Substation, highlighted as China’s first zero‑carbon smart educational substation, and toured the HQB Museum to observe Shenzhen’s green‑energy infrastructure and industrial transformation firsthand.

Key Statements

  • Chhoeun Raksmey, Director of the Department of Portable Water Policies, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, Innovation of Cambodia, emphasized that the green and low‑carbon transition requires coordinated action among governments, private enterprises, research institutions and communities.
  • Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, Director of the Thailand‑China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative, cited grassroots examples such as a Thai woman achieving financial independence with assistance from the Chinese Consulate General in Khon Kaen to run a hair salon, and Thai agricultural experts collaborating with villagers in Du’an, Guangxi, to address pomelo‑growing challenges.
  • Alex Choi, Co‑founder and Executive Director of MTEL Telecommunications, highlighted the role of digital infrastructure and youth‑driven innovation in industrial upgrading.
  • Fan Siran of CSG Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau presented the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area’s green power outlook, projecting that nearly 60 percent of the region’s electricity will be sourced from green energy by 2030.
  • Yang Bo of CSG Lancang‑Mekong International stressed that while grid connectivity is essential, enabling free market flow of electricity is the critical next step for efficient clean‑power allocation across the region.
  • Wang Hai, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, advocated shifting from a one‑way electricity supply model to a two‑way synergy between electricity and computing.
  • Zhang Qian, senior official at CSG Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau, proposed leveraging the Greater Bay Area’s strengths in technology, application scenarios and talent to establish an AI‑plus‑energy innovation hub for the Asia‑Pacific.

Regional Power Integration Highlights

The forum discussed cross‑border energy links, citing the China‑Laos 500 kV interconnection project as a successful example. The project expands two‑way power‑exchange capacity from 50,000 kilowatts to 1.5 million kilowatts and is expected to deliver approximately 3 billion kilowatt‑hours of clean power each year.

Conclusion

The gathering underscored the importance of youth engagement, digital innovation, and cross‑regional grid connectivity in accelerating the Asia‑Pacific’s transition to a low‑carbon, green‑energy future.