Embracing openness as a catalyst for development and cooperation as the key to a shared future, Xue Kan, Secretary of the CPC Yangpu District Committee, recently embarked on a mission to the U.S., Mexico, and Japan, aiming to broaden Yangpu's network of international partnerships, and to promote international trade cooperation and cultural exchanges. The delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges with governments of sister cities, multinational corporations, innovation institutions, prestigious universities and industry associations, consolidating and deepening sister-city relationships, and expanding exchanges and cooperation.

Visit to the U.S.

Upon arrival in the U.S., the Yangpu delegation convened the Shanghai Yangpu-Silicon Valley Promotion Conference at Stanford University. Over 50 guests, including experts and scholars from Stanford University and the University of San Francisco, heads of technology companies and investment institutions in Silicon Valley, leaders of the Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association and the Chinese Institute of Engineers, as well as heads of alumni associations of prestigious Chinese universities in the U.S. Xue delivered a welcome speech on behalf of Yangpu. He noted that Yangpu and Silicon Valley have a solid foundation of friendship and broad prospects for cooperation. He emphasized the robust foundation of friendship between the two sides and the broad prospects for collaboration. He promised to further strengthen friendly cooperation with Silicon Valley, sharing the innovative opportunities in Yangpu with more partners. The attendees said that the conference has enhanced mutual understanding and deepened friendship, looking forward to more in-depth cooperation with Yangpu.

In San Francisco, the Yangpu delegation attended the Shanghai-San Francisco Bay Area Business Luncheon hosted by Mayor Gong Zheng, and subsequently held the Shanghai Yangpu-Bay Area Cooperation Forum. Xue, along with Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council; Liu Jingdong, Chinese Consul in San Francisco; and Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer, attended and addressed the forum. Xue provided an overview of Yangpu's achievements in technological innovation, industrial development and social undertakings. He noted that the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most dynamic regions in the U.S., and Yangpu is also a vibrant place. With genuine warmth, he extended an invitation for all to visit Yangpu to share the opportunities that promise a remarkable life, fostering a sense of belonging and identity, and together forging a new narrative in the annals of Sino-American economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Present were 100 representatives from companies, the academic community and institutions such as Shougang Fund, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), HP, KiwiMoore, the University of California, Berkeley and the ClimateWorks Foundation. A few corporate and institutional leaders expressed their willingness to cooperate with Yangpu and to initiate projects in Yangpu.

During the visit, Xue had a cordial meeting with Wunderman. He expressed his sincere gratitude to Wunderman who represents friendly personage and the Bay Area Council for their unwavering support to Yangpu over the years, expecting to further deepen cooperation with the council. Wunderman spoke highly of Yangpu's achievements in recent years and pledged his ongoing commitment to promoting enduring exchanges, contacts and friendly cooperation between the two sides.

In Palo Alto, the Yangpu delegation visited the Start2, Castilleja School and the Community Public Service Center, among other institutions. It engaged in talks with Mayor Greer Stone, Mayor of Palo Alto; Neighbors Abroad President Sarah Burgess, and members of the City Council at City Hall. Xue noted that Palo Alto is the first official international sister city of Yangpu. Since the establishment of the sister city/district relationship in 2018, the two sides have carried out practical cooperation in fields such as trade, investment and cultural exchanges, achieving positive results. He hoped that while consolidating the traditional friendship, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in the incubation and transformation of innovation achievements, talent cultivation, and further expand the cooperation range. Stone extended a warm welcome to the Yangpu delegation, acknowledging the successful outcomes of cooperation and expressing eagerness for the continuation and deepening of friendly exchanges at both governmental and nongovernmental levels. Following the talks, Yangpu and Palo Alto signed a memorandum of understanding, committing to a variety of student exchange programs and cultural exchanges.

While in the U.S., the Yangpu delegation also visited SVB, Nike's global headquarters, the Los Angeles headquarters of Tishman Speyer, Q Bay Center and Papergames' North American office.

Founded in 1983, SVB is renowned for its focus on the venture capital ecosystem. It was integrated into First Citizens Bank as an independent division in 2023, continuing its commitment to tech innovation investment and private banking services. In 2012, it established the first Sino-American joint venture bank in China—SPD Silicon Valley Bank in Yangpu, which has served 157 companies registered and operating in Yangpu. The Yangpu delegation had talks with Andy Tsao, Head of SVB's Global Gateway; and Song Li, Managing Director of SVB's Asia Link, exploring financial support for tech innovation and industrial development, achieving positive outcomes. SVB will further deepen cooperation with Yangpu, offering a comprehensive suite of services such as corporate account opening, financing and overseas listing for Yangpu's global aspirants.

Founded in 1972, Nike is a world leader in sneakers, sportswear and sports equipment. It relocated its Greater China headquarters to Yangpu in 2024, and has maintained close cooperation with Yangpu in areas such as sports product R&D and sales, and the organization and operation of sports events since. The Yangpu delegation had in-depth discussions with Craig Williams, President of Geographies and Marketplace at NIKE and Jorge Casimiro, Chief Public Policy Officer of Nike; Xue commended the successful cooperation between Nike and Yangpu over the years, and hoped that Nike will further expand its operations in Shanghai and Yangpu. Williams and Casimiro expressed their gratitude for Yangpu's unwavering support in brand development and intellectual property protection, noting that, with the Greater China business maintaining positive growth for five consecutive quarters, Nike will further increase its investment in China and Shanghai, intensify the launch of new products, and create new consumer landmarks.

Tishman Speyer is a globally renowned real estate developer, operator and asset manager, known for investing in and constructing iconic structures like the Rockefeller Center, The Springs and TaunusTurm. This year in May, Shanghai Chengtou, STI and Tishman Speyer signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The Yangpu delegation visited Tishman Speyer's Los Angeles headquarters and had in-depth discussions with Managing Director David Lapidus and other senior executives on deepening the implementation of the strategic cooperation agreement and accelerating urban renewal cooperation. They reached a consensus on further expanding the cooperation range and jointly developing more pioneering and innovative landmarks.

Q Bay Center, a Silicon Valley-based innovation and startup platform established by Hangzhou Overseas Innovation Center Co., Ltd., has nurtured over 60 startups, including notable firms like Visby Medical and N1 Life. The Yangpu delegation toured the center, listening to the company's introduction to its development history. The two sides exchanged views on technology exchanges and cooperation, entrepreneurial ecosystem development, talent exchange and training, and industrial cooperation and investment.

Founded in 2013, Papergames is a Yangpu-based interactive entertainment company with a strong presence in the internet culture sector. Its original games, such as the Nikki series and LOVE series are highly recognized by the industry and favored by users, amassing nearly 400 million registered users worldwide. In 2022, it established its North American office in Los Angeles. The Yangpu delegation visited Papergames' North American office, learning about its market expansion endeavors. Xue praised Papergames' achievements in promoting fine Chinese traditional culture and promoting cultural exports. He pledged Yangpu's commitment to supporting local businesses in their international expansion, and offering tailored policies and services to facilitate corporate development and talent aggregation, thereby helping companies concentrate on innovation and creating stable entrepreneurial environment for talents.

Visit to Mexico

Established in 1941, made up of over 56,000 manufacturers from across Mexico and Latin America, CANACINTRA is one of the most important chambers of commerce in Latin America. The Yangpu delegation visited the association, and engaged in talks with Borewinski, Chairman of the Mexico-China Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Mexican House of Representatives and Federal Deputy; Fadlala Akabani, Mexico City's Secretary of Economic Development; and Lucero Itziar Carreón Espinosa, Vice President of CANACINTRA. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation, promoting industrial upgrading and other issues, reaching a positive consensus. Xue noted that Yangpu and CANACINTRA have broad prospects for cooperation in building exchange platforms, elevating the manufacturing sector and strengthening personnel exchanges, hoping that the two sides will further deepen exchanges and cooperation and share development opportunities. Borewinski highlighted the strong interest of Mexican manufacturers in expanding their industrial and investment partnerships with Shanghai, hoping to organize a delegation to visit Yangpu as soon as possible to jointly create more platforms for cooperation and exchanges among businesses. Akabani expressed a desire to see Yangpu and Mexico City strengthen cooperation in emerging industries to jointly advance the manufacturing sector.

The Monterrey Institute of Technology, known as "the MIT of Latin America", is one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico and Latin America. After visiting the Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing of Advanced Materials, the Yangpu delegation had in-depth discussions with the university's executives. The two sides agreed on deepening academic exchanges and promoting the incubation and transformation of technological achievements.

While in Mexico, the Yangpu delegation visited the Latin America division and the Mexican office of Huawei, and engaged in talks with Integra, Softtek and the Mexican branch of the Bank of China. Integra, founded in 1989, is an innovative company in Mexico's information and communication technology sector. Softtek, established in 1982, stands as one of Mexico's largest software company. All the attendees shared the commitment to deepening exchanges among companies and strengthening industrial cooperation.

Visit to Japan

During the visit to Japan, the Yangpu delegation visited the headquarters of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, renowned for its expertise in leveraging digital technology for risk prevention and property safety. In Tokyo, the delegation learned about the company's experience and practices of digitalization and smart city development. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as urban governance, tech finance, industrial upgrading and investment promotion. An agreement was reached on cooperating in digital city building and promoting a number of mature application scenarios in Yangpu.

Nihon Sekkei is one of the world's largest design groups, with a strong presence in over 50 countries and 250 cities globally. It joined the Shanghai Urban Regeneration Pioneer Union last year. Following a tour of Tokyo's urban renewal projects such as Toranomon Hills and Azabudai Hills, the Yangpu delegation engaged in discussions with the company on issues such as regional planning, historical preservation, and improvements in public facilities and transportation. The two sides agreed on jointly promoting urban renewal and the development of the design industry in Yangpu.

Kishiwada is known for its robust industrial and agricultural sector, convenient transportation, beautiful natural scenery, and profound historical and cultural heritage. It established a sister city relationship with Yangpu in 2002. At the Kishiwada City Hall in Osaka Prefecture, Mayor Nagano Kohei of Kishiwada warmly welcomed the Yangpu delegation and held talks with it. Xue noted that since the signing of the friendly exchange agreement, Yangpu and Kishiwada have carried out extensive cooperation and exchanges in education, culture and sports. He hoped for further practical cooperation in educational and sports exchanges, people-to-people cultural exchanges and tourism market development based on the existing cooperation, extending an invitation to outstanding Japanese businesses and talents to invest and work in Yangpu. Nagano reflected on the deep friendship between the two sides and hoped to take this exchange as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation and friendship, striving to create a better future for both places. Following the meeting, the Yangpu delegation visited the exhibition hall of Kishiwada Danjiri Festival.

Looking ahead, Yangpu is committed to broadening its international engagement, and capitalizing on the visit's outcomes to strengthen ties with sister cities and organizations. It will focus on attracting significant investments and accelerating the launch of new overseas projects and ventures. Efforts will be made to help Yangpu's companies go global and capture market opportunities, and to foster high-level economic and cultural exchanges in Yangpu, thereby contributing to Yangpu's commitment to advance the new practice of the people's city, embark on a new journey of innovative development and reinvigorate Yangpu's momentum, while also supporting Shanghai's aspiration to become a modern socialist international metropolis with international influence.