On June 30, 2026, New York time, the launch ceremony and New York Forum for OUR WATER Season 3 were held at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York. Themed "Rivers of Opportunities," the event underscored the shared certainties between Shanghai and New York, aiming to anchor growth through open cooperation and reshape the future via innovation and resilience. Co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., the forum drew over 200 guests from the political, business, finance, and cultural sectors of China and the United States, 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 Chen Yiqun, Director-General of Information Office of Shanghai Municipality.
The forum explored the openness and similarities between the two global hub cities, identifying a shared framework of certainties. Both cities possess distinct advantages in finance and trade while facing common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. The dialogue aimed to foster mutual learning and inject stability into China-U.S. relations. A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how global capital perceives the Chinese market, noting a shift from traditional growth narratives to AI, high-end manufacturing, financial opening-up, and institutional market development. Shanghai, as a hub for financial opening-up and innovative enterprises, serves as a gateway linking international capital with opportunities in China.
Another panel, "Opportunities in Emerging Consumer Markets," moderated by Bloomberg Television host David Westin, examined consumer vitality in both cities. Panelists observed that consumption dynamism stems from market size and the ability to create experiences, understand people, and activate urban spaces. The New York series also includes cultural 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," alongside a China-U.S. Business Leaders Dialogue. These events shape an immersive waterfront narrative, allowing the two water-thriving metropolises to resonate harmoniously. As Minister Tang Zhiwen stated, Shanghai and New York are expected to become benchmarks for subnational cooperation and contribute to a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.
