Leading executives witness new area’s transformation

Hong Chow, CEO, Roche Pharma China

“In 1994, Roche became the first multinational company to settle in Pudong’s Zhang jiang, which in the early days was positioned as a high-tech park but has since shifted to a national science city with a clear evolution from traditional manufacturing to smart manufacturing. Shanghai, and Zhang jiang in particular, have unique advantages, especially their sound business environments. We clearly feel that the city government has an international, forward-looking vision and strong willingness to serve businesses. The 863-million yuan ($131 million) Roche Innovation Center Shanghai officially launched in October 2019 was the company’s third global R&D center following one in Switzerland and another in San Francisco.”

Kevin Yang, Shanghai branch general manager, Standard Chartered Bank

“Pudong is the window reflecting the progress that

China has made in terms of its reform and opening-up. Accommodating the China headquarters of Standard Chartered, Pudong has also witnessed our expansion in the country. With the accelerated opening-up in China’s financial market, we will be more deeply rooted in Pudong to seize the paramount opportunities brought by China’s deepened opening-up and make our contribution to the country’s dual circulation economic development strategy.”

Gu Jianping, general manager, Shanghai Tower Construction and Development Co

“The 632-meter tall, 132-story Shanghai Tower is currently China’s tallest and the world’s second tallest building. Bringing Pudong to new heights, the skyscraper also debuted multiple advanced technologies of construction engineering. It marked the world’s first time that a single building weighing 850,000 metric tons on a soft soil foundation was constructed. It was also the world’s first time that flexible glass walls — totaling 140,000 square meters — were installed for a super high-rise building.”