“Pudong and the World”: Parallel Session of the 7th HQF to Open Soon

南方财经全媒体记者李依农  上海报道

The parallel session of the 7th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF)—Pudong and the World: High-Standard Institutional Opening-up For New Development Opportunities (the “Pudong Parallel Session”) will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on November 6, 2024. The session is hosted by Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, and organized by Pudong New Area People's Government.

The third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee outlined a roadmap for deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization from a strategic perspective for national development.

Being the pioneer in China’s reform and opening-up, Pudong’s efforts in reform and opening-up in the new era have gained increasing attention. Under HQF’s theme of "High-standard Opening-up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization", and following the Guideline to Support the High-level Reform and Opening-up of Pudong and Build Pudong into a Pioneer Area for Socialist Modernization formulated by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the session will explore ways to better, faster and more proactively, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules such as CPTPP and DEPA, and leverage Pudong’s role as a “testbed” for integration into global economic governance, so as to deepen institutional opening-up and foster new advantages in international cooperation and competition.

Global guests to discuss new chapters for reform and opening-up

This year marks the third anniversary of Pudong's designation as a Pioneer Area for socialist modernization.

On July 15, 2021, the Guideline to Support the High-level Reform and Opening-up of Pudong and Build Pudong into a Pioneer Area for Socialist Modernization was issued by the CPC Central Committee and State Council, marking Pudong’s entry into a new chapter of reform and opening-up with greater responsibilities.

Over the past three years, the development of this pioneer area has been robust, achieving notable outcomes in institutional openness and pioneering reforms. What lies ahead for Pudong while it deepens the reform? How will Pudong position itself within the new international trade and economic order?

The session features influential domestic and international figures, including Zhang Junkuo, Deputy Director of the Proposal Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, Chairman of the China Development Research Foundation, and previous deputy director of Development Research Center of the State Council; Erik Solheim, recipient of the 2023 Chinese Government Friendship Award and Vice President of the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition; and Dr. Christian Bruch, President and CEO of Siemens Energy AG, who will deliver speeches and share insights on promoting Pudong’s development.

Foreign enterprises’ voice for Pudong New Area

Pudong has long been a front-runner in China’s high-level openness, attracting numerous foreign enterprises looking to benefit from China’s development.

Pudong is home to 42 international economic organizations, 346 Fortune Global 500 companies, and the regional headquarters of 468 multinational corporations.

During the session, leaders from prominent foreign enterprises—such as Vivian Bian, CEO of Roche Pharma China; Marc Horn, EVP of Merck KGaA and President of Merck China; Maximilian Foerst, President and CEO of ZEISS Greater China; Jasmine Xu, Chairman of the Board and CEO of P&G Greater China; and Bai Binyi, Executive Vice President of Business Group Electronics China at FORVIA HELLA and Member of the Executive Board of Electronics of HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA—will share stories behind their journey of growth with Pudong.

A promotion event will be held before the parallel session. Global partners including Ernst & Young, Kearney Management Consultants, and Cushman & Wakefield will share Pudong’s strength in sci-tech innovation, finance, headquarters economy, business environment, and modern urban development from a third party’s perspective, so as to increase the visibility of Pudong as an investment destination known for collaborative growth.