Over the past year, Jin Hui, President of the Italy Soong Ching Ling Foundation, has frequently returned to her hometown of Shanghai to discuss collaboration opportunities with local government, hoping to leverage her extensive resources in Italy to build a bridge for cooperation between Italy and China.
On November 5th, Jin Hui finally realized this goal.
At the “Creating the Future Together in Shanghai” Global Promotion Event and 2024 Chinese Young Entrepreneurs Roundtable, Jin Hui and leaders from Shanghai Yangpu District Government signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish the Italy Innovation Center in Yangpu District. The center aims to promote deep collaboration between Italy and China in areas such as the economy, culture and tourism, education, and society, fostering regional economic and social development for both sides.
As one of the official supporting events of the 7th China International Import Expo, the event attracted more than 300 participants, including overseas young Chinese entrepreneurs and leaders from 17 countries and regions, representatives from overseas Chinese community groups, professional associations, young scientists, youth innovation and entrepreneurship hubs in Shanghai, young private sector entrepreneurs, and innovators and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and other overseas communities living in Shanghai.
Chinese entrepreneurs have personally participated in and witnessed the economic and social development of both Shanghai and China. During her interview, Jin Hui mentioned that overseas Chinese businesspeople are paying close attention to the China International Import Expo (CIIE), hoping to take advantage of this “CIIE express train” to seek new opportunities and directions for cooperation alongside companies from around the world. Today, Chinese-owned enterprises not only regard China as an export destination, bringing high-quality goods and services into the country, but also as a key location for investment and entrepreneurship. “In particular, the rise of a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs, with their broad perspectives, is accelerating innovation and integrated development, expanding their investments in China, and contributing to global economic growth.”
Technological innovation has attracted the attention of companies worldwide. Wang Xiangdao, Chairman of Shanghai MoSeeker Network Technology Co., Ltd., is a post-1980s entrepreneur and a new member of China’s overseas community. He spends nearly one-third of each year traveling globally to engage with international businesses and brings their diverse voices and needs back to Shanghai. During his interview, he said, “The CIIE welcomes businesses from around the world to exchange and interact in Shanghai every year. Through this opportunity, we have more chances to engage with global customers, understand their needs, and empower their business development through technological innovation.”
“Shanghai’s advantage in technological innovation is clear—any tech company with ambitions to grow will find a supportive community here,” said Zhai Jinguo, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, at the conference. He stated that in response to the new wave of science and technology industry transformation, Shanghai will enhance its strategic positioning in frontier technologies and future industries, cultivate new drivers for developing advanced productivity, and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces.
By Fan Yubin
Original Report
