On June 30, 2026, the launch ceremony and New York Forum for OUR WATER Season 3 were held at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York, marking a significant step in subnational cooperation between China and the United States. Themed "Rivers of Opportunities," the event brought together over 200 guests from political, business, finance, and cultural sectors, 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 aimed to explore the openness and similarities between Shanghai and New York, identifying a shared framework of certainties among global hub cities.
Both cities possess distinct advantages in finance and trade, while facing common challenges in urban renewal, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. Candid dialogue is seen as essential for mutual learning and injecting stability into U.S.-China relations. A panel titled "Investing in China, Winning the Future" discussed how the appeal of Chinese assets is shifting 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 asset allocation, has become a crucial gateway linking international capital with opportunities in China, as highlighted by Bloomberg Television host David Westin.
Another panel, "Opportunities in Emerging Consumer Markets," moderated by Westin, noted that consumer vitality in both cities stems not only from market size but also from their ability to create experiences 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 display themed around Shanghai's "One River, One Creek" and Jing'an CAZ. These events shape an immersive waterfront narrative, allowing the two super metropolises to resonate in harmony through dialogue.
Minister Tang Zhiwen emphasized that Shanghai and New York are expected to become benchmarks for subnational cooperation between China and the United States, contributing to a constructive U.S.-China relationship of strategic stability. The forum was co-hosted by Bloomberg L.P., with participation from Ma Xiaoxiao, Deputy Consul General of China in New York, and Hu Minghua, President of Shanghai United Media Group. The event underscores the importance of open cooperation in anchoring growth and reshaping the future through innovation and resilience.
