The launch ceremony and New York Forum for OUR WATER Season 3, held on June 30, 2026, at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York, brought together over 200 guests from political, business, finance, and cultural sectors to explore the openness and similarities between Shanghai and New York. Co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., the event featured Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies; Tang Zhiwen, Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States; and other dignitaries. The forum aimed to identify a shared framework of certainties among global hub cities amid challenges such as urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation.
As Tang Zhiwen noted 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 bilateral relationship of strategic stability. The forum included panels on investing in China and emerging consumer markets. A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how Chinese assets are shifting from traditional growth narratives to AI, high-end manufacturing, financial opening-up, and institutional market development. Shanghai's role as a gateway linking international capital with opportunities in China was highlighted.
Another panel, "Opportunities in Emerging Consumer Markets," moderated by Bloomberg Television host David Westin, examined consumer vitality in both cities, noting that it stems from market size, the ability to create experiences, and activate urban spaces. The forum was part of a broader series of events for OUR WATER Season 3, including 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." These events shaped a tangible waterfront narrative, allowing both cities to resonate in harmony through dialogue.
The significance of this forum lies in its potential to set a precedent for subnational cooperation, especially at a time when China-U.S. relations face uncertainties. By focusing on shared certainties and open cooperation, Shanghai and New York can serve as models for other global cities. The event also highlighted the importance of candid dialogue in addressing common challenges and injecting stability into bilateral relations.
