The "Ideas for Shanghai" expat roundtable was held on the afternoon of July 14 at the Shanghai People's Congress Whole-Process People's Democracy Research and Practice Base.

About 20 foreign participants held brainstorming sessions revolving around optimizing the business environment, improving public services, and upgrading cultural, tourism and consumption sectors. Offering diverse international perspectives, they put forward suggestions and shared insights for Shanghai's high-quality development, transforming themselves from mere observers of urban growth into deeply involved co-builders of the city.

"The profile of overseas talents and foreign entrepreneurs in Shanghai is evolving, and the expat community keeps expanding," one participant noted."I admire Shanghai's high efficiency. It boasts convenient transportation, a fast yet well-organized pace of life, a strong international vibe, high cultural inclusiveness and abundant opportunities. It also features sophisticated digital services, diverse consumption experiences and a wealth of delicious food," foreign guests shared their impressions of Shanghai based on personal experience.The attendees included entrepreneurs, media staffers, startup founders and international students, each with unique work and life experiences in the city. They actively proposed ideas to boost Shanghai's global competitiveness and humanistic charm, as well as advance the city's high-quality development.Some suggested forming volunteer teams of foreign guides to improve grassroots governance, engaging more expats in international outreach on revolutionary culture and building a distinctive Shanghai cultural brand with global communication appeal.Others called for higher-quality cultural and tourism development, stronger top-tier international sporting event brands, and integrated service packages combining culture, tourism, sports and exhibitions. They hope event traffic can drive cultural and tourism consumption and fully showcase Shanghai's dynamic urban energy. Focusing on corporate growth, several attendees proposed leveraging the Yangtze River Delta integration initiative to realize cross-regional recognition and alignment for supportive business policies such as the new apprenticeship program.

The roundtable created a face-to-face communication platform linking expats in Shanghai with government authorities. Officials from relevant departments listened closely, recorded every proposal on site and responded to suggestions. They pledged to keep refining foreign-related policies and supporting services to attract more international friends to choose, settle down in and embrace Shanghai.

An expat suggestion collection liaison office at Gubei Community Service Center was inaugurated during the event. The office will further expand channels for foreign residents to voice opinions and enrich platforms for international exchanges.All foreign attendees agreed that Shanghai is an open, inclusive and vibrant international metropolis. They promised to keep acting as bridges between cultures and contribute their wisdom to the city's development.

Chen Jing, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attended the event and delivered a speech. Ma Shiwei, Deputy Director of Changning District, also took part in the roundtable.