San Francisco and Shanghai want to deepen economic ties

San Francisco and Shanghai – leaders in technology, finance and culture in their respective hemispheres – have unique opportunities to further deepen economic cooperation and mutual development, the Californian city’s mayor said at an event in Shanghai over the weekend.

San Francisco looks forward to learning together with Shanghai in the fields of electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and medical technology, and strengthening exchanges on smart cities and green and low-carbon development, said London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco, as he led a United States Delegation will meet with 80 domestic business leaders.

As one of the first pair of sister cities in China and the US, which established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, San Francisco and Shanghai are known for their vibrant economies and innovative spirit, and are a testament to the transformative power of openness and diversity . she said.

President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden laid out a forward-looking vision during their historic meeting in San Francisco in November.

“Shanghai, with its remarkable economic growth, thriving manufacturing sector and status as a global financial center, reflects many of the characteristics that make San Francisco a fertile place for investment,” Breed said at the Saturday event, organized by the Shanghai Federation. of Industry and Commerce and the San Francisco Bay Area Council.

“Working together, we can unlock new avenues for economic development, innovation and cultural exchanges that will not only benefit our cities but also continue to advance the global process,” she added.

John Grubb, chief operating officer of the San Francisco Bay Area Council, said the western U.S. is a frontier — a place to try new ideas and find a new life. “Today we see such similarities in Shanghai, the world’s newest frontier. especially for business development,” he said.

Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng, who met with Breed on the same day, said the city looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with San Francisco, to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit.

“San Francisco is home to renowned universities, scientific research institutions and technology companies, and is a leader in areas including artificial intelligence and life sciences. We hope to promote cooperation and exchanges between universities and scientific research institutions of the two. places,” he said.

Shanghai welcomes San Francisco enterprises to invest and prosper in the city, and encourages excellent local enterprises to come to San Francisco and make investments, Gong added.

During the event attended by business leaders from the technology, finance, culture and tourism sectors, among others, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce signed a cooperation memorandum focusing on resource matching and integrated development of the industrial sector. and commercial sectors of the two cities.

Xu Yuanyuan, general manager of Weiheng Intelligent, a domestic provider of battery energy storage solutions with an international network of research and development, production and sales, said the company plans to soon set up a regional headquarters in San Francisco Bay Area.

“California, the energy policy beachhead for the North American market, is experiencing unprecedented growth in energy storage. It plays an important role in balancing supply and demand, contributing to environmental sustainability, which both the US and China strongly believe in. ” he said.

Zou Qingling, CEO of Joyu, a Shanghai-based smart tourism service provider, said more tourism products will be developed for residents of Shanghai and San Francisco as they show more interest in learning about each other’s culture, history and lifestyle.

“Tourists from Shanghai to San Francisco are getting younger. We also receive an increasing number of orders for business delegations and conference groups with financial and technological innovation backgrounds. Such new situations not only reflect visitors’ desire for in-depth cultural exchanges, but also emphasize the unique charm of San Francisco’s atmosphere in terms of scientific and technological innovation,” she added.