All 12 young performers in Who Should Welcome the Guests?
A group of young performers in southern China is giving a traditional art form a high-tech twist to welcome the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen next month.
Titled Who Should Welcome the Guests?, the original clapper talk performance was the only artistic act selected for the APEC China 2026 30-day countdown event held in Shenzhen on October 17.
Created by young comedy performers Xu Daoyi and Xu Daoxiang, the show stages a lively debate over which technologies should help welcome international guests attending the APEC meetings. Drones, autonomous vehicles, translation earbuds, AR glasses and artificial intelligence each makes its case, highlighting how their capabilities could support the event.
Blending rhythmic spoken verses with contemporary music and lively stage movements, the performance combines a traditional Chinese folk art form with modern technology. Its playful approach reflects Shenzhen's efforts to welcome APEC guests with innovation.
Stage photo of Who Should Welcome the Guests?
The show features 12 children aged 9 to 13, all members of a community performing arts group in Shenzhen's Longgang District. The production was developed with support from arts organizations at the provincial, city and district levels to encourage young talent and original creative work.
The performance is scheduled to air on CCTV-11, China's Opera Channel dedicated to in November.
The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19, 2026, bringing leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to the city.
Reporter: Li Muzi
Photos: Guangdong Quyi Artists Association
