The Mayor of Shanghai, Gong Zheng, met with the CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company and expressed willingness to work together, cooperate for the long term, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Today, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Soren Toft, CEO of Swiss Mediterranean Shipping Company and Chairman of the World Shipping Council. Gong Zheng said that Shanghai is currently focusing on the construction of the "Five Centers" and accelerating the development of a socialist modern international metropolis with global influence. The Shanghai International Shipping Center is entering a new stage from basic completion to comprehensive completion. We will adhere to the direction of digitization, intelligence, and green transformation, vigorously develop high-end shipping services, enhance the functions of the shipping and trade digital platform, accelerate the construction of smart ports, smart waterways, smart terminals, and other infrastructure, strive to build a global shipping hub, and welcome Mediterranean Shipping to play to its strengths and actively participate. Shanghai is willing to work hand in hand with Mediterranean Shipping to establish a long-term strategic partnership, achieve mutual complementarity and win-win cooperation. We hope that Mediterranean Shipping will continue to improve its level of operation in Shanghai, work together to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry, leverage the platform of the Import Expo, introduce more low-carbon technologies, innovative businesses, and solutions in the shipping industry, to provide greater support for the construction of the Shanghai International Shipping Center. Shanghai will continue to create a top-notch market-oriented, rule-of-law-based, and international business environment, continuously optimize high-quality services for enterprises, and promote the greater development of various types of operating entities in Shanghai. Toft expressed that China is the most promising market for Mediterranean Shipping, even though the international situation is complex and changing. We have full confidence in the Chinese market, and will continue to invest heavily in China, strengthen investments, build new infrastructure, order new container vessels, and actively develop new businesses such as air cargo transportation. We are willing to work with Shanghai to participate in major projects such as the construction of the Shanghai Asia-Pacific air cargo center, cooperate on long-term projects, and win together in the future.