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 China-U.S. subnational cooperation. Co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., the event brought together prominent figures including Michael R. Bloomberg, Tang Zhiwen, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., and Chen Yiqun, Director-General of the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality, along with over 200 guests from political, business, finance, and cultural sectors. Themed "Rivers of Opportunities," the forum aimed to explore the openness and similarities between Shanghai and New York, identifying a shared framework of certainties among global hub cities.
Both cities, as financial and trade powerhouses, face common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. The forum emphasized that candid and open dialogue is essential for mutual learning and can inject stability into China-U.S. relations. A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how the appeal of Chinese assets is evolving from traditional growth narratives to AI, high-end manufacturing, and financial opening-up. Shanghai, as a hub for financial opening-up and asset allocation, 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, highlighted that consumer vitality in Shanghai and New York stems from their ability to create experiences and activate urban spaces. The forum is part of a broader series of events for OUR WATER Season 3, which includes exhibitions such as "West Meets East·Shanghai & New York 2026 - A Polaroid 20×24 Special Exhibition" and "Chinese Opera: A Century of Dreams." These events shape a tangible waterfront narrative, allowing the two super metropolises to resonate in harmony through dialogue.
As Minister Tang Zhiwen stated in his address, 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." This collaboration underscores the importance of subnational ties in fostering global economic resilience and innovation.
