Regional coh

This year, the world joins China in celebrating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up. After four decades of momentous transformations, the nation now ushers in a sustainable new era. Today, as China casts open its doors even wider to the world, Shanghai stands on the threshold welcoming more productive engagement globally.

Nowhere is this receptive stance more relevant than with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China’s trade and investment with Belt and Road (B&R) economies reached approximately 7.4 trillion yuan (US$1.1 trillion) in 2017, with increases in exports by roughly 12 percent, and nearly 27 percent for imports from the prior year.

Shanghai has been playing an essential role in driving progress along the B&R As a result of the city’s continuous efforts, ranging from construction of a free trade port, promoting RMB use in bilateral trade, and enabling foreign entities along the B&R to raise funds and issue bonds through the Shanghai Stock Exchange, there is a clear course for success.

For the future, Shanghai should see its impact along the B&R enhanced by local development, particularly through mobilizing the Yangtze River Delta’s resources Concurrently, efforts to utilize technology constructively can help entrench the city’s status as a center for innovation.

The Yangtze River Delta is a significant junction linking influential locations along the B&R. Shanghai has a special role to play in curating resources and talent in