June 19 – Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng attended the opening ceremony of the two-day 2024 Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai.

Chen highlighted that Shanghai will spearhead innovations in cross-border financial services, deepen institutional openness, enhance the internationalization of financial markets, and facilitate cross-border data flows. The city is dedicated to creating a world-class business environment that will attract foreign financial institutions and international capital, thereby accelerating the development of globally competitive financial institutions.

Gong emphasized that high-quality financial development is pivotal to Shanghai's goal of becoming an international financial center. He stressed the need to improve the financial institution system to foster a more open, dynamic, and attractive financial ecosystem. Furthermore, he pointed out that ensuring high-quality financial development entails strengthening security and control capabilities, enhancing regulatory measures, and mitigating risks to prevent systemic financial crises.

Chen Jining (2nd right) and Gong Zheng (1st right) congratulate the establishment of the IMF Shanghai Regional Center at the forum's opening ceremony on June 19. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

June 20 – Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining met with Lee Chee Koon, CEO of CapitaLand Group from Singapore, along with representatives of other international entrepreneurs.

During the meeting, Chen provided an update on Shanghai's latest economic and social developments and outlined the measures taken to optimize the business environment. He invited the companies to increase their investment in Shanghai, and to explore cooperation in areas such as urban renewal, healthcare, and technological innovation. He also expressed hope that the companies will share their experiences, offer valuable suggestions, and jointly contribute to the optimization and enhancement of Shanghai's business environment.

The international entrepreneur representatives shared insights into their respective companies' operations in Shanghai. They also expressed strong confidence and unwavering commitment to expanding their business in the city. They plan to deepen collaboration in technological industries, as well as to launch new healthcare projects that will better support Shanghai's high-quality development.

Chen Jining (right) meets with Lee Chee Koon, CEO of CapitaLand Group, on June 20. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

June 21 – Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining met with John Hoffman, CEO of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, and his delegation.

Chen emphasized that the GSMA is a globally influential international organization with a longstanding cooperative relationship with Shanghai. He expressed his desire to further deepen this collaboration in order to enhance the quality and standards of the Mobile World Congress (Shanghai) and set a new benchmark for industry exhibitions. Shanghai will continue to cultivate a world-class international business environment, providing more efficient and convenient services for both domestic and international enterprises operating in the city. He also extended his best wishes for the success of the 2024 Mobile World Congress (Shanghai).

Hoffman noted that Shanghai is a leading hub for innovation in mobile communication technology and industry development. GSMA will continue to embrace digital and green transformation, deepen cooperation between the two parties, and encourage more enterprises and institutions from various fields to participate in the collaboration.

Chen Jining (right) meets with John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA, on June 21. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

June 18 - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Nikolai Setzer, CEO of the globally renowned automotive parts supplier Continental AG, and his delegation.

Gong highlighted that the automotive industry is one of Shanghai's six key sectors. He noted that Shanghai has emerged as a global center for the automotive industry chain and is striving to become a leading hub for the development of smart new energy vehicles. Gong expressed his hope that Continental AG will leverage its strengths to allocate more high-quality resources, major projects, and business operations in Shanghai. He also emphasized the importance of improving the city’s business environment and welcomed suggestions for its optimization.

Setzer affirmed that Continental AG will continue to increase its investment in Shanghai, support the development of China's automotive industry, and provide solutions for future mobility.

Gong Zheng (right) shakes hands with Nikolai Setzer, CEO of Continental AG, on June 18. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]