March 27 - Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, met with Geoff Martha, chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic, a United States medical device company, and Christopher Boerner, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, a US biopharmaceutical enterprise.

Chen Jining (right), Party secretary of Shanghai, meets with Geoff Martha, chairman and CEO of Medtronic, on March 27. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Chen Jining (right), meets with Christopher Boerner, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, on March 27. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Chen underscored Shanghai's commitment to expediting the high-quality development of the biopharmaceutical industry by harnessing its position as a national pilot zone for reform and opening-up. He extended a warm welcome to Medtronic and Bristol Myers Squibb, urging them to align their strategic frameworks and core operations with Shanghai's strengths in scientific innovation, talent, clinical trials, and market potential. Both companies were encouraged to establish additional manufacturing and research and development facilities in Shanghai.

March 28 - Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, held talks with entrepreneurs who attended the Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference 2024.

Chen highlighted Shanghai's status as a hub of innovation, openness, and opportunities, presenting unlimited possibilities for enterprise and talent development. He welcomed Chinese and foreign enterprises to launch new ventures and initiatives in Shanghai, leveraging the city's advantages in science and technology and modern governance to their fullest extent.

Chen Jining meets with entrepreneurs who attended the Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference 2024 on March 28. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

March 26 – Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng held a meeting with John Rishton, chairman of the board of directors of London-based Informa.

Gong Zheng (right) meets with John Rishton, chairman of the board of directors of Informa, on March 26. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Gong emphasized Shanghai's steadfast dedication to advancing the development of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry. He highlighted the robust growth in market demand for MICE activities last year, with certain indicators reaching historic highs. He expressed his hope that Informa expand its investment in Shanghai and engage in the city's green and low-carbon transformation, thereby achieving shared growth of the MICE sector and urban development.

Rishton noted that Shanghai boasts exceptional infrastructure and a favorable business environment, making it an ideal location for face-to-face exchanges between Chinese and foreign partners.

March 26 – Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with a delegation headed by Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Gong Zheng meets with Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the WMO, on March 26. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Gong extended sincere gratitude for the WMO's long-term support to Shanghai. He highlighted the extensive and close cooperation between the WMO and the city, citing the successful implementation of eight international demonstration projects related to early warning for disasters, urban climate, climate service, and more, as well as the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Typhoon Collaborative Research Center in the city in 2021. Gong expressed hope for the construction of further demonstration projects under the guidance and support of the WMO, aiming to strengthen international meteorological cooperation, and jointly promote the development of the meteorological economy.

Saulo expressed hope for joint efforts to construct the Shanghai Multi-hazard Early Warning Center, provide increased support and services to developing countries, and contribute to the advancement of the global meteorological cause.

March 29 – Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng held talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Gong Zheng meets with Dinesh Gunawardena, prime minister of Sri Lanka, on March 29. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Gong emphasized the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka and Shanghai's pivotal role as a bridge for cultural exchanges between the two nations. He welcomed Sri Lankan enterprises to leverage the China International Import Expo as a major platform to strengthen economic, trade, and industrial collaborations with Shanghai. Gong also expressed a desire to enhance tourism cooperation and foster friendship between the two countries.

Gunawardena noted that the rapid recovery of the Chinese economy has facilitated the economic recovery of other Asian countries. He emphasized the need for closer cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, expressing hope for Shanghai to promote exchange and cooperation between the ports of Colombo and Shanghai.

March 29 – Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with a delegation headed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two cities.

Gong Zheng signs a MOU with Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of Bangkok, on March 29. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Gong highlighted the enormous potential for bilateral collaboration between Shanghai and Bangkok and expressed hope that the MOU would further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two regions, leading to a higher level of mutual benefits and win-win results. He extended a cordial invitation to Thai and Bangkok enterprises, encouraging them to expand their business presence in Shanghai, leverage the China International Import Expo as a major platform, and pioneer innovative cooperation in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, digital technology, and green development.

Sittipunt expressed his desire to draw insights from Shanghai's expertise in economic development and urban management, emphasizing his aspirations to enhance bilateral collaboration in trade, tourism, green development, and urban construction.

Source: "shanghaifabu" WeChat account