“Shanghai Nanjing Plus” 2025: “Exploring Perspectives on China–U.S. Relations” Series: Visits to the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, the Paper Media Company, and Shanghai University

2025/10/11

Visit to the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress

On the morning of October 10, 2025, the “Shanghai Nanjing Plus” 2025 delegation of early- and mid-career American experts and scholars visited the conference hall of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, located at 200 Renmin Blvd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, to learn about China’s People’s Congress system and the practice of whole-process people’s democracy in Shanghai.

Group Photo

Photos from the Event

Wang Zhiping, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, Delivers a Speech

Luo Jie, Level II Bureau Rank Official of the General Office of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress and Deputy Director of the Office of its Foreign Affairs Committee, Delivers a Speech

  

The event was moderated by Luo Jie, Level II Bureau Rank Official of the General Office of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress and Deputy Director of the Office of its Foreign Affairs Committee. At the beginning of the event, Wang Zhiping, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, extended a warm welcome to the delegation of American experts and scholars. 

The event was divided into three segments. First, the participants watched an English-language documentary “A Visit to the People’s Congress”, introducing the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress. Next, Vice Chairman Wang Zhiping provided an overview of China’s People’s Congress system, the practice of whole-process people’s democracy in Shanghai, Shanghai’s general situation, and the city’s achievements in building the “Five Centers.” The final segment featured a Q&A session.

 

After the documentary and presentations, the delegation  engaged actively, posing thoughtful questions on  Shanghai’s business environment, the relationship between the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress and the National People’s Congress, the legislative procedures of the People’s Congress, and environmental protection legislation. Vice Chairman Wang Zhiping  offered patient, detailed, and in-depth responses to each. The participants listened with rapt attention, jotting down notes throughout. Though scheduled for one hour, the session extended to nearly two.

 

Visit to the Paper Media Company

At noon on October 10, 2025, the participants of the “Shanghai Nanjing Plus” 2025 program visited the Paper Media Company for a site tour and exchange.

Group Photo

Participants in the Multifunctional Studios

The participants first ascended the spiral staircase and guided by Ms. Xu Xiaoyu, a reporter from the Jiefang Daily, visited several multifunctional studios on the second floor. There, they experienced the striking visual effects of green screen technology and artificial intelligence, frequently expressing awe and delight—laughter occasionally echoing through the space.

Participants in the Paper Media Company’s Exhibition Area

Participants in the Paper Media Company’s Interactive Area

Next, the participants took the elevator in groups to the sixth floor, where Ms. Chen Rui, a reporter from the Paper Media Company’s International Video Department, guided them through the company’s exhibition and interactive zones. They marveled at the futuristic, sci-fi-inspired  front desk, remarking that it felt “like stepping into a space station.” 

As lunchtime approached, the delegation moved to the observation hall on the 43rd floor of the Wenxin United Press Building. Bathed in clear, sunny weather, the participants gravitated toward the floor-to-ceiling windows to take in sweeping views of the Shanghai skyline. Smiling broadly, they praised the city’s progress and expressed their sincere appreciation to the organizers for the thoughtful choice of venue.

Photo from the Event

Xia Jun, Director of the External Affairs Department of Shanghai United Media Group, Delivers Remarks

Liu Yonggang, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Media Company, Delivers Remarks

Yu Xiaoqing, Editor-in-Chief of the International News Center at the Paper Media Company, Hosts the Session

Cai Yiwen, Head of the “Perspectives” Column at The Sixth Tone, Delivers a Speech

Sun Hui, CEO of Pai Sheng Wan Wu, Delivers a Speech

The lunch exchange session was moderated by Yu Xiaoqing, Editor-in-Chief of the International News Center at the Paper Media Company. Xia Jun, Director of the External Affairs Department of Shanghai United Media Group, and Liu Yonggang, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Media Company, delivered remarks. Cai Yiwen, Head of the “Perspectives” column at the Sixth Tone, introduced the Sixth Tone, the Paper Media Company’s fully digital English news product. Sun Hui, CEO of Pai Sheng Wan Wu, introduced the company’s large language model for communication—“Pai Sheng Wan Wu”—which powers the in-app intelligent Q&A service for users of The Paper Media Company’s mobile application.

 

During the exchange segment, the delegation engaged in face-to-face, in-depth discussions with The Paper Media Company’s staff in a warm and lively atmosphere. The participants posed questions to Liu Yonggang, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Media Company, expressing great interest in the Paper Media and wishing it continued growth and success.

 

Visit to Shanghai University

On the afternoon of October 10, 2025, the members of the “Shanghai Nanjing Plus” 2025 program visited the Baoshan Campus of Shanghai University, located at 716 Jin Qiu Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, and held a discussion and exchange session with representatives of the university’s faculty and students in the Haina Hall of the Lehu New Building.

Group Photo

The delegate entered the Lehu New Building, where the discussion and exchange session was held.

 Yu Xuemei, Vice President of Shanghai University, Delivers a Speech

Dr. Zhang Yufeng, Dean of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Shanghai University, Delivers a Keynote Speech

Dr. Song Rui, Acting Vice Dean of the College of Future Technologies at Shanghai University, Delivers a Keynote Speech

The discussion and exchange session was moderated by Yu Xuemei, Vice President of Shanghai University. It began with an English-language promotional video of Shanghai University was played. Dr. Zhang Yufeng, Dean of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Shanghai University, then delivered a keynote speech titled “Develop Innovative Mindset and Inspire Entrepreneurial Spirit.” This was followed by Dr. Song Rui, Acting Vice Dean of the College of Future Technologies at Shanghai University, delivered another keynote speech titled “Reshape Future Technologies.”

Representatives of Student Entrepreneurs, Delivered Speeches.

Yu Xuemei, Vice President of Shanghai University, Engages in Discussion and Exchange with Members of the Delegation

Face-to-Face Discussion and Exchange Session

Next, The session  then transitioned to moved into the exchange segment, where two student entrepreneurs took the stage in turn, presenting their startup projects.during which two student representatives with entrepreneurial experience spoke in turn, introducing their respective startup projects. AfterwardsFollowing their talks, four faculty members and two student representatives from Shanghai University engaged in face-to-face discussion and exchange with the delegationes. The atmosphere was open and enthusiastic, with both sides exchanging views on topics of mutual interest.