Mayor Ying meets would-be French ambassador, global board members

Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong met with Laurent Bili, nominated ambassador of France to China, and a delegation of global board members, led by Peter Seah, chairman of DBS Group Holdings, separately, in Shanghai yesterday.

Ying told Bili during their meeting that Shanghai is willing to actively develop friendly exchanges and cooperation with French counterparts within the framework of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership and the consensus reached between the two heads of state. “We welcome more firms from France to participate in the upcoming 2nd China International Import Expo in Shanghai,” he added.

Shanghai has regional headquarters of multinational companies, and it is a city loved by French people, Bili noted.

Benoit Guidee, consul general of France in Shanghai, also joined the meeting.

During his meeting with Seah, Ying said that Shanghai and Singapore should deepen cooperation and exchanges in various fields, including finance, with the mechanisms of the Shanghai-Singapore Comprehensive Cooperation Council.

The Lingang New Area of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, which was established recently, will build a special economic zone with more international market influence and competitiveness, and promote all-round high-level opening, the mayor added.

DBS Group has witnessed the great economic achievements of China and the rapid changes in Shanghai, and it is committed to the greater development of China, including Shanghai, in the future, Seah proclaimed.