Shanghai Party chief meets Starbucks executive chairman

Li Qiang, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Committee, met Howard Schultz, executive chairman of Starbucks, on Tuesday.

Li said that with the booming of the Internet and new technologies, lots of traditional businesses are undergoing transformation. Shanghai is working hard to build itself into a consumer city, and it cannot be done without international brands and business model innovation.

Li pointed out that Starbucks has achieved great results in expanding and serving the Chinese market in recent years and Shanghai will keep optimizing its business environment.

Li hoped Starbucks would increase its investment and strive for more innovation, and support Shanghai in building itself into a global consumer city.

Schultz said Starbucks has long been enjoying a good relationship with Shanghai, which has more Starbucks outlets than all other cities in the world. Shanghai and China’s economy and markets are promising. Starbucks is willing to increase its investment in Shanghai and introduce more business projects into the city.

Zhuge Yujie, secretary-general of the CPC Shanghai Committee, also attended the meeting.