On 11 July, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang attended the 2023 “Invest in Shanghai, Share the Future” promotion event in London and delivered remarks.
Ambassador Zheng said that over the years, Shanghai has always taken the lead on China’s reform and opening up, and is well-known for its openness, innovation, and inclusiveness. He noted that Shanghai has served as a vivid example of China’s commitment to implementing the new development philosophy, fostering the new development paradigm and advancing high-quality development. He said that in recent years, Shanghai has made significant strides in becoming an economic centre, financial centre, trade centre, shipping hub, and science and technology innovation centre. He noted that with its exceptional policy support, development foundation, talent pool, and geographical advantages, Shanghai possesses unlimited potential and that to invest in Shanghai is to seize future opportunities.
Ambassador Zheng outlined China’s economic development since the beginning of this year, saying that to tackle the challenges from a sluggish world economy, China is introducing more practical and effective measures to further tap the potential of domestic demand, invigorate the market, make urban-rural and regional development more coordinated, accelerate green transition and advance high-standard opening up. He highlighted that in the first five months of this year, 18,532 foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, marking a year-on-year increase of 38.3%, pointing out this is a vote of confidence by foreign businesses in China's development prospects.
Ambassador Zheng noted that in the latter half of this year, China will hold the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and the 6th China International Import Expo. He welcomed more British friends and businesses to participate in these events. He hoped that visionary individuals in the British business community will not be misled by talks about decoupling or de-risking and encouraged them to actively expand practical cooperation with China and Shanghai, and jointly create a new chapter in China-UK economic and trade relations for the greater benefit of the people of both countries.
Vice Mayor of Shanghai Xie Dong introduced the city’s advantages in economic and social development and other fields, and invited British enterprises to seize investment opportunities in Shanghai. Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council Lord Sassoon and Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK Fang Wenjian delivered remarks. Nearly 300 representatives from the Shanghai delegation and the Chinese and British business communities attended the event.
