Chen Jining, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, held talks with Dennis Francis, the president of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in Shanghai on Jan 29.

Chen Jining (right) and Dennis Francis shake hands in Shanghai on Jan 29. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Chen welcomed Francis' visit to Shanghai and introduced the city's continuous development of the Five Centers of international significance-the economy, finance, trade, shipping and science and technology innovation.

This strategic mission was closely aligned with China's ongoing pursuit of modernization, aiming to enhance the quality of life of its residents and to contribute to global development, Chen said.

Recognizing the UN as a beacon of multilateralism, Chen underscored Shanghai's openness, innovation and inclusiveness as key attributes.

The city, positioned at the forefront of China's reform and opening-up initiative, served as a dynamic international hub, offering invaluable experiences for global collaboration, he added.

For his part, the UN General Assembly head expressed his delight in choosing Shanghai as the inaugural destination of his visit to China. Francis lauded the city's vitality and charm, describing Shanghai as a beacon of hope for the future.

In the context of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, he acknowledged China and Shanghai's development as crucial paths and reference models for achieving global goals, expressing a keen interest in deeper collaboration and exchanges of know-how.

Both parties expressed their commitment to building a closer partnership between Shanghai and UN-related agencies.

The aim is to facilitate mutual learning of urban development and governance experiences, contributing substantial efforts to global open cooperation and sustainable development.

Source: "shanghaifabu" WeChat account