New cut-resistant gloves developed by U.S. DuPont are unveiled at the product launching center of the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
BRIDGE TO WORLD
The Tesla Shanghai gigafactory in Lingang resumed work in February. According to footage released by the company last week, the Model 3 production is in full swing now in Shanghai, when its plants in the United States have been shut down amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Tesla Shanghai factory is an epitome of Shanghai's link with the world. As the meeting point of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River economic belt strategy, Pudong is also an important hub to help connect China's inland regions with the world.
Since the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai in 2018, Pudong has become a major beneficiary of CIIE throughout the year.
Around 500 kg of Spanish ham brought by La Encina Seleccion Sl. was sold out fast during the first CIIE. Anticipating an even bigger ordering spree, the company set up its China branch in Lujiazui the next year.
After attending the first CIIE, Swedish medical equipment producer Elekta set up its China headquarters and an R&D institute in Lujiazui. Gong Anming, executive vice president and China CEO of Elekta, was amazed by the efficiency of local government. "Any difficulties we encountered were resolved by the government departments in time," Gong recalled.
Over the past three decades, Pudong has attracted 35,000 foreign-funded enterprises from 168 countries and regions, receiving foreign investment of 95.86 billion dollars.
Investments from Shanghai are also reaching out all over the world. By the end of 2018, Pudong enterprises alone had invested in nearly 200 projects in 30 countries along the Belt and Road.
"Pudong's further reform and opening up in the new era will not be a simple increase in quantity, but a comprehensive improvement in quality," said Weng Zuliang, secretary of the Pudong New Area Committee of the Communist Party of China.
"It's not just about Pudong's own development, but also about the building of Pudong into a model region showcasing China's vision, proposals and path in the new era."
