On November 21, the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC) gave a briefing to the relevant personnel of the foreign institutions based in Shanghai on the performance of duty in 2017 of the 12thCPPCC Shanghai Committee, and solicited opinions and suggestions from the foreign nationals residing in Shanghai on the building of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and a global science & technology innovation center. Wu Zhiming, chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting, which was attended by more than 100 foreign consular officials, business executives and others.

In their remarks, the foreign personages said the unremitting efforts Shanghai has made to deepen reform, expand opening up and drive innovation and Shanghai’s introduction of a series of policies, including “supporting the participation of foreign research and development centers in the building of science & technology innovation center” and “facilitating entry and exit of foreign talents”, are widely welcomed by the foreign businesses and nationals in Shanghai. They also put forward suggestions, such as further simplification of visa procedures for foreigners who come to work in Shanghai, promulgation of rules and regulations for policies that encourage the development of foreign research and development centers, extension of the innovation system to cover wider scope and areas, and putting into place of a mechanism of exchange on a regular basis between the political advisory body and the local assemblies and other similar institutions of other countries.

In his address, Wu Zhiming called foreign consulates general and other foreign institutions an important bridge for cooperation and exchange between Shanghai and other countries and regions. The CPPCC Shanghai Committee always attaches great importance to forging ties of friendship with foreign countries and regions, and he sincerely hoped the foreign personages in Shanghai will, using the platform of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee’s briefing, offer advice and suggestions for Shanghai’s reform and opening up and modernization development as well as the CPPCC Shanghai Committee’s performance of duty, and enhance understanding and cooperation between the two sides.