Jason Jacobs, a San Francisco native, was diligently painting the ornate doorway of San Francisco City Hall, adding a touch of gold to the Beaux-Arts building. He admired the stunning architecture of the city and believed that whether he painted the gates or not, they would leave a lasting impression on visitors.
In preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference, workers like Jacobs were busy beautifying the city. The conference, which is expected to bring over 20,000 people to San Francisco, including politicians, executives, and journalists from around the world, is a significant event for the city. APEC consists of 21 member economies, accounting for nearly 50% of global trade and 40% of the global population. This presents a big platform for the U.S. to promote policies that support free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region.
One of the most highly anticipated meetings during the summit is between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting could potentially ease tensions between the two countries. While major breakthroughs are not expected, the meeting will cover a range of economic and security issues, including trade, technology exports, human rights, and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and near Taiwan. President Biden will also discuss areas of cooperation, such as climate change, countering narcotics trafficking, and China’s role in international conflicts.
The APEC summit is not only significant for the U.S. but also for San Francisco, as it marks the city’s biggest gathering of world leaders since 1945 when the United Nations was established. However, San Francisco’s stark contrasts cannot be ignored. It is a city home to billion-dollar tech companies and luxurious high-rises, but also plagued by homelessness and encampments on its streets.
Just blocks away from the Moscone Center, where the main events of the summit will take place, Christie Palominos, a homeless individual, sorted through her belongings. She was unaware of the world leaders’ presence but had witnessed homeless friends being repeatedly asked to move by police officers. Palominos expressed frustration with the city’s efforts to clean up and displace homeless individuals instead of providing them with adequate housing.
Homelessness has been a contentious issue in San Francisco, with a federal judge temporarily blocking the city from clearing certain homeless encampments without offering shelter. The city has been grappling with providing enough shelter for its homeless population, which numbered 7,754 in 2022.
San Francisco has also faced challenges in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with office and business closures impacting its vibrant downtown. Major retailers have closed their doors, citing decreased foot traffic, sluggish sales, and safety concerns. However, city officials like Mayor London Breed and Governor Gavin Newsom remain hopeful about the future of San Francisco and believe that its best days are still ahead.
Despite the challenges and criticisms, San Francisco aims to put its best foot forward for the APEC summit. The city hopes to showcase its beauty and charm to visitors from around the world and tell the whole story of what it has to offer.
