Changning trade group secures 350m yuan in deals on CIIE opening day

The Changning trade delegation recorded 350 million yuan (US$49.16 million) in intended transaction value on November 5, the first day of the 8th China International Import Expo. 

The largest single procurement deal was secured by Theland New Cloud (Shanghai) Digimart Ltd.

A participant in CIIE for the eighth consecutive year, Theland has consistently pursued its brand philosophy of "upgraded pastures, upgraded milk sources, and upgraded products." This year, the company debuted its newly upgraded Theland 4.0 grass-fed milk globally at the expo, emphasizing "elevated grass-fed standards and enhanced nutritional value" to better serve Chinese consumers.

According to the District Commerce Commission, over 30 enterprises from Changning are participating in this year’s CIIE, with presence across all six major exhibition zones: Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products, Automobiles and Smart Mobility, Technology and Equipment, Consumer Goods, Agricultural and Food Products, and Trade in Services.

US soprano Juliet Petrus bridges East and West at concert for ‘Best Hongqiao’ Carnival

As a key event of the 2025 "Best Hongqiao" Carnival, the "Best Hongqiao • XIN Encounters" micro-travel performance series  presented a concert of Chinese and foreign art songs by soprano Juliet Petrus at the central plaza of Columbia Circle's Phase II commercial area on the afternoon of November 8.

Petrus, the renowned American coloratura soprano who performed "I Love You, China" on the 2018 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, delivered a captivating vocal feast that bridged Eastern and Western musical traditions for the live audience.

Prior to the concert, an urban-themed CityWalk set the tone for the day. Participants strolled along a curated section of Xinhua Road, celebrated as the essence of "Shanghai's premier garden venue," before proceeding via Panyu Road. The route passed the newly revitalized Shanghai Film Center and led into the vibrant, community-rich Xingfuli neighborhood. Upon reaching Columbia Circle, visitors immersed themselves in the "Urban Encounter with Hudec" exhibition, gaining a systematic retrospective of the architectural master's iconic works.

The concert commenced at 3pm, with Petrus making a striking entrance in a red gown. She opened with two Chinese songs before transitioning to classic Western opera pieces. Her refined coloratura technique and emotive delivery showcased the distinctive charm of Western opera. The program also featured a selection of timeless Chinese and international classics, culminating in a special performance of the "Shanghai Ballad" in the Shanghainese dialect for the audience.

Petrus shares a deep connection with China. In 2020, she co-authored the first English-language book systematically introducing Mandarin diction and Chinese vocal repertoire with Katherine Chu, breaking new ground for Western singers.

To date, the 2025 "Best Hongqiao" Carnival has launched four urban micro-travel routes, collaborating with key cultural and commercial landmarks such as the Livat Shanghai and the Liu Haisu Art Museum. Through these immersive experiences, it continues to highlight Changning District's unique integration of culture, tourism, commerce, sports, exhibitions, and green development.

Changning positions itself as ’accelerator’ for China-Japan tech collaboration

The sixth "Invest in China" China-Japan Advanced Technology Exchange Meeting, organized by the Ministry of Commerce, was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on November 6. 

Focusing on key areas such as intelligent robotics and health & elderly care, the event aimed to build a platform for industrial collaboration between China and Japan, deepen synergistic innovation in advanced technologies, and facilitate new achievements in practical cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting, Liu Ping, head of Changning District, highlighted that as a key gateway connecting Shanghai with the Yangtze River Delta and the world, Changning has always been a "preferred location" for Japanese enterprises investing in China. 

The district is home to over 6,500 foreign-invested enterprises and 92 regional headquarters of multinational corporations. Japanese enterprises account for one-fifth of all foreign enterprises in Changning, while Japanese regional headquarters represent nearly half of the district's total foreign headquarters and nearly one-fifth of all Japanese regional headquarters in Shanghai. 

Key Japanese organizations, such as the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai and the JETRO Shanghai Office, are also concentrated in Changning. Leading Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Electric, Sumitomo Electric, ASICS, and The Pokémon Company, have established and expanded their operations in the district.

In recent years, Changning has actively implemented the national AI development strategy, centering on the "AI+" initiative and vigorously promoting the construction of the Shanghai Silicon Alley sci-tech innovation block. The district has gathered over 900 innovative enterprises in fields such as artificial intelligence, internet technology, and intelligent robotics, Liu said.

As one of China's first pilot demonstration bases for smart health and elderly care applications, Changning continues to explore innovations in building a dementia-friendly community, empowering elderly care through digital solutions, and developing the silver economy, he added.

Changning aims to become an "accelerator" for China-Japan technological collaboration. By leveraging platforms such as the Greater Hongqiao China-Japan Enterprise Exchange and Development Alliance and the "China-Japan Meeting Space," the district will facilitate government-enterprise and enterprise-enterprise exchanges. It will also actively expand application scenarios, providing a full-scenario testing and promotion platform for China-Japan collaborative products.

Changning completes facade lighting project to dazzle for CIIE

Changning District has completed a key building facade lighting enhancement project along the Inner Ring Elevated Road, transforming eight core structures into a luminous corridor that blends artistic quality with humanistic warmth. The sparkling new lights add to the vibrant atmosphere of the 8th China International Import Expo.

Completed within just one month, the project was meticulously managed by the District Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, with precise control over design, installation, and commissioning.

Guided by a "people-oriented, green and ecological" design philosophy, the project deliberately avoided excessive brightness, achieving harmonious coexistence between light and the city through deep integration of art and technology. 

Tailored solutions were applied based on building functions. Residential buildings were illuminated with 3000K warm yellow light using soft projection and wall-washing techniques to outline contours while minimizing glare, whereas office and public buildings adopted 4000K neutral white light to emphasize vertical lines and layers, faithfully restoring facade textures and colors to convey a solemn, modern aesthetic.

In the next phase, the bureau will refine a "one-building-one-file" management system and develop differentiated lighting plans for weekdays, holidays, and major events. The bureau will also strengthen industry guidance for lighting projects initiated by entities along key commercial areas and major sites, integrating them into a unified district-level centralized control system to continuously refine a city nightscape that is both radiant and comfortably elegant.

Livat Mall touts ‘circular lifestyle’ to promote sustainability

Livat Shanghai recently launched its "Love Your Stuff for Longer" campaign, creating a multi-dimensional experience centered on sustainable living. 

Through a green lifestyle block, a secondhand circular bazaar, and a fashion knitting exhibition, the event promotes circular consumption while allowing consumers to discover new joys through product repair, reuse, and creative transformation.

The initiative brought together 25 mall tenants and six sustainable partners, each offering unique sustainable consumption experiences. Highlights included Nike's sneaker recycling program, Decathlon's used bicycle refurbishment initiative, and IKEA's furniture buy-back service. These diverse scenarios enabled shoppers to experience firsthand the appeal that "everything can be recycled."

In collaboration with the Xianyu secondhand platform, Livat Shanghai also set up a circular bazaar at Gate 2. Each weekend, experienced Xianyu sellers showcase curated items from vintage curios to limited-edition collectibles, offering a treasure-hunting experience for eco-conscious shoppers. Visitors can also bring their unused items for consignment or donation, giving old objects a new lease on life.

During the campaign, Livat Shanghai partnered with the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts and several fashion brands to present a sustainable knitting design exhibition in the corridor connecting the mall to Metro Line 2. 

Using brands' new autumn-winter collections and classic pieces as a base, students and faculty from the institute reimagined the items with eco-friendly materials and creative knitting techniques, presenting a display of fashion accessories that blend style with sustainability.