May 27 - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Stephan Weil, governor of Lower Saxony, Germany, and his delegation.

Gong expressed a warm welcome to enterprises from Lower Saxony, encouraging them to leverage the China International Import Expo (CIIE) platform to expand their business footprint in the city. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in education and technology to foster deeper exchanges between educational institutions and research organizations from both regions. Gong also called for continuous efforts of innovative collaboration in the biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and new energy sectors to promote high-quality development in both regions.

Weil underscored the importance of avoiding trade protectionism and expressed his eagerness to explore potential cooperation channels within established frameworks, thus ensuring mutual benefits for both regions.

Gong meets with Stephan Weil, governor of Lower Saxony, Germany, on May 27. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

May 28 - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and his delegation.

Gong highlighted that the EU has become Shanghai's largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment. He noted that Shanghai is currently aligning itself with high-standard international economic and trade frameworks such as CPTPP and DEPA. Shanghai is eager to further deepen pragmatic cooperation with the EU, explore trade and investment opportunities, foster exchanges in technological innovation, and advance green and low-carbon initiatives, Gong said.

Eskelund and several Chamber members expressed their anticipation for Shanghai to further expand its openness in areas such as market access, international talent attraction, and the development of a conducive business environment. They also hope for the introduction of more facilitative measures that will enhance exchanges and cooperation, thereby enabling EU enterprises to achieve greater success in China.

Gong meets with Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and his delegation, on May 28. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

May 28 - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met separately with Jeannette Young, governor of Queensland, Australia, and Nikos Hardalias, governor of the Attica region, Greece, along with their respective delegations.

Gong expressed his aspiration to further enhance economic and trade cooperation with Queensland and Attica. He warmly welcomed enterprises from both regions to leverage the CIIE platform to introduce more high-quality products and services to Shanghai. Additionally, he looks forward to strengthening exchanges in the education, healthcare, and port sectors in order to better benefit the people of all three regions. He also called for collaboration among cultural and art groups to bolster youth exchanges and further foster friendship.

Young expressed her enthusiasm for deepening cooperation, particularly in international education, healthcare, agricultural products, culture, and tourism.

Hardalias conveyed his desire to establish closer ties, create open platforms, and promote cooperation in the shipping, culture, and tourism fields.

Gong meets with Jeannette Young, governor of Queensland, on May 28. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Gong meets with Nikos Hardalias, governor of the Attica region, Greece, on May 28. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

May 29 - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with James S.C. Chao, chairman of Foremost Group, and Elaine Chao, former US secretary of labor and transportation.

Gong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to James Chao for his long-standing dedication to the development of Shanghai, his hometown, and his significant contributions to the city's shipping and educational sectors. He looks forward to Foremost Group's continued support in Shanghai's development as an international shipping center and the digital, intelligent, and green transformation of the city's shipping industry. Gong also hopes that the company will persist in their educational initiatives in Shanghai, as it fosters high-quality talent and further strengthens exchange and cooperation between Shanghai and the US.

James Chao expressed his delight at returning to Shanghai. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing his support for its development, deepening cooperation, and promoting mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between China and the United States.

Gong meets with James Chao, chairman of Foremost Group, on May 29. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]