China's Pudong New Area to promote international business exchanges

Since being designated a "new area" in 1990, Shanghai's Pudong has become a popular destination for foreign-invested enterprises to establish office in China, and for domestic companies to explore overseas expansion.

At present, there are 28,000 foreign-funded enterprises and branches in Pudong New Area.

HELLA Shanghai Electronics is one of international automotive parts supplier FORVIA HELLA's largest and most automated electronics factories worldwide, and its automotive electronics research and development centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

After taking root in Pudong New Area, the company has gradually expanded its research and development, production and sales business.

"The atmosphere and policy provide us with a very ideal environment to further develop business and operate," said Bai Binyi, the executive vice president of FORVIA HELLA's electronics business division in China.

At present, the construction is in full swing for an international business cooperation zone in Pudong.

The zone, coupled with the policy advantages of the comprehensive bonded zone and the customs supervision zone, will become China's first special supervision zone "within the country, but out of the jurisdiction of its customs," providing convenience such as "visa-free entry, 30-day stay, and 30-minute direct access" to global business people.

After 35 years of development and opening up, Pudong has brought together a large number of financial institutions, multinational headquarters, and international law firms to build a "global resource allocation hub."

Relying on these advantages, Pudong New Area seeks to bring in more foreign-invested enterprises and encourage more domestic companies to expand overseas, with an aim to cultivate 400 pioneering enterprises in going global and 100 foreign trade enterprise headquarters by the end of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

"We will fully align with international high-standard economic and trade rules and foster a newer and higher-level opening-up platform. We will accelerate the construction of a comprehensive service center for enterprises to go out, build a one-stop service platform for enterprises going overseas, and support various types of enterprises to rely on Pudong's comprehensive environmental advantages and institutional advantages to better expand international business and improve the global resource allocation functions," said Zheng Haiao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Commission of Shanghai Pudong New Area.

China's Pudong New Area to promote international business exchanges

Attractions across China are embracing a tourist boom during the five-day May Day holiday season beginning on Thursday.

In south China's Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a mega bridge connecting Guangdong's Zhuhai City with neighboring Hong Kong and Macao, is one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The total number of visits of the bridge during the holiday has exceeded 6,800, about 50 percent more than that on normal days.

"I am indeed feeling very proud [of this mega project], a big thumbs-up for our great country!" said a tourist surnamed Ke.

In the Tianmen Mountain scenic area in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, performances featuring local folk customs are amazing tourists from home and abroad.

"I think it's really traditional in China, the costumes and the dance. We really like it," said tourist Julie from France.

"I love the performance. I felt like it was very immersive, and with the view, it's crazy. I'll recommend everyone thinking of coming here for sure," said tourist Duarte from Portugal.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, the famous Mogao Grottoes are also see a peak of visits during the holiday, as the tickets, which are limited to 6,000 per day, would all sell out well in advance.

Built between the 4th and 14th centuries, the Mogao Grottoes are home to a vast collection of Buddhist artworks, with more than 2,000 colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals located in 735 caves, carved along the cliffs by ancient worshipers.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains, more than 1,900 meters above sea level, had the ice floes on it thawed just before the holiday, offering tourists a breathtaking view.

"This is my first time to visit the lake. The view is shockingly beautiful when you see it in person!" said tourist Chen Yanru from northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Xinjiang's Manas county is a famous destination for self-driving tours because of the region's diverse natural landscapes, such as yardangs, the Danxia landform, river valleys, canyons, alpine meadows and forests.

"It's a very worthwhile trip for the holiday. I am amazed by the picturesque scenery of Xinjiang," said tourist Zhou Chenchong from Shanghai.

Attractions across China embrace May Day holiday tourism boom