Jan 6 – Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

Chen said Shanghai stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with South Korea, promote people-to-people exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding.

He added that through closer and more sustained interaction, both sides can better seize opportunities for cooperation, expand areas of collaboration, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Lee expressed appreciation for Shanghai's efforts to preserve the former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai.

He said he looks forward to capitalizing on opportunities arising from China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), identifying new drivers of cooperation, and deepening mutual understanding and good-neighborly relations through continued people-to-people exchanges.

Jan 8 – Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin and his delegation.

Gong said that since Shanghai established a friendship city relationship with Cork in Ireland, the two sides have carried out extensive and pragmatic cooperation, delivering positive and tangible results.

He called for stronger exchanges and cooperation across the economy, trade and investment, education, science and technology, as well as culture and tourism, with a view to achieving higher-level mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, while enhancing the well-being of people on both sides.

Martin praised Shanghai as an open and inclusive city with a rich historical and cultural heritage and significant global influence.

He noted that Ireland and China, particularly Shanghai, enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, financial services, scientific research and development, biomedicine, renewable energy, as well as education and culture.

Noting that Shanghai has created a favorable environment for Irish businesses, he expressed the hope that the two sides will continue to promote economic and trade cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges, further deepen friendship, and pursue common development.