The launch ceremony and New York Forum for OUR WATER Season 3, held at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York on June 30, 2026, underscored the potential for Shanghai and New York to become a benchmark for China-U.S. subnational cooperation. Co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., the event brought together prominent figures including 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; and other officials and business leaders. The forum, themed "Rivers of Opportunities," explored the shared certainties between the two global hub cities, emphasizing open cooperation and resilience.
The two cities, both financial and trade powerhouses, face common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. The forum highlighted the importance of candid dialogue for mutual learning and stability in China-U.S. relations. Panels addressed topics such as "Investing in China, Winning the Future," where discussions centered on how Chinese assets are shifting from traditional growth to AI, high-end manufacturing, and financial opening-up. Shanghai was positioned as 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 consumer vitality in both cities. Panelists noted that the dynamism stems not only from market size but also from the ability to create experiences and activate urban spaces. The New York series also included cultural exhibitions such as "West Meets East·Shanghai & New York 2026" and "Chinese Opera: A Century of Dreams," as well as a China-U.S. Business Leaders Dialogue.
These events aimed to shape a tangible waterfront narrative, allowing the two metropolises to resonate in harmony through dialogue. As Minister Tang Zhiwen stated, Shanghai and New York are expected to become benchmarks for subnational cooperation and contribute to fostering a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. The forum served as a platform to identify a shared framework of certainties among global hub cities, reinforcing the importance of open cooperation in an uncertain world.
