The launch ceremony and New York Forum for OUR WATER Season 3, held on June 30, 2026, at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York, marked a significant step in strengthening ties between Shanghai and New York. Co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., the event, themed "Rivers of Opportunities," brought together over 200 guests from political, business, finance, and cultural sectors of China and the United States. Attendees included Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies; Tang Zhiwen, Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic in the United States; Ma Xiaoxiao, Deputy Consul General of China in New York; Chen Yiqun, Director-General of Information Office of Shanghai Municipality; and Hu Minghua, President of Shanghai United Media Group.
The forum focused on the shared certainties of Shanghai and New York, anchoring growth through open cooperation and reshaping the future through innovation and resilience. As Minister Tang Zhiwen stated, Shanghai and New York are expected to become benchmarks for subnational cooperation between China and the United States, contributing to a "constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability." The two cities share distinct advantages in sectors such as finance and trade, while facing common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. Candid dialogue is essential for mutual learning and injecting stability into bilateral relations.
A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how global capital understands the Chinese market, with Chinese and international guests noting that the appeal of Chinese assets is shifting from traditional growth narratives to AI, high-end manufacturing, financial opening-up, and institutional market development. Shanghai, as a hub for financial opening-up and a cluster for innovative enterprises, has become a crucial gateway linking international capital with opportunities in China. Another panel, "Opportunities in Emerging Consumer Markets," moderated by Bloomberg Television host David Westin, explored how consumer vitality in both cities stems from their ability to create experiences, understand people, and activate urban spaces.
Beyond the forum, the New York series of events for OUR WATER Season 3 includes the West Meets East·Shanghai & New York 2026 - A Polaroid 20×24 Special Exhibition; Chinese Opera: A Century of Dreams - An Exhibition of Art Design and Technology; an exhibition themed Shanghai's "One River, One Creek" and Jing'an CAZ; and a China-U.S. Business Leaders Dialogue in New York. These events create a tangible and immersive waterfront narrative, allowing the two super metropolises to resonate in harmony through dialogue. The forum underscored the importance of subnational cooperation in fostering stable and constructive ties between China and the United States.
For more information, visit Shanghai's official website or Bloomberg.
