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 brought together key figures including Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies; Tang Zhiwen, Minister at the Embassy of the People's Republic in the United States; and other dignitaries. Themed "Rivers of Opportunities," the forum explored the shared certainties of the two global hub cities, emphasizing open cooperation, innovation, and resilience.
The forum underscored the distinct advantages Shanghai and New York hold in sectors like finance and trade, while addressing common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how Chinese assets are attracting global capital through AI, high-end manufacturing, and financial opening-up. Shanghai, as a hub for financial opening-up and asset allocation, serves as a crucial gateway for international capital seeking opportunities in China.
Another panel, "Opportunities in Emerging Consumer Markets," moderated by Bloomberg Television host David Westin, highlighted the consumer vitality of both cities, driven by their ability to create experiences and activate urban spaces. Beyond the forum, the New York series included cultural exhibitions such as "West Meets East·Shanghai & New York 2026 - A Polaroid 20×24 Special Exhibition" and "Chinese Opera: A Century of Dreams - An Exhibition of Art Design and Technology," alongside a China-U.S. Business Leaders Dialogue.
Minister Tang Zhiwen noted in his address that Shanghai and New York are expected to become benchmarks for subnational cooperation between China and the United States, contributing to a constructive bilateral relationship. The events shape a tangible waterfront narrative, allowing the two super metropolises to resonate in harmony through dialogue. As the partnership deepens, it promises to inject stability into China-U.S. relations by fostering mutual learning and collaboration on shared priorities.
