On December 22, 2023, Zheng Gong, the Mayor of Shanghai, visited both SAIF and CEIBS at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). He was accompanied by Vice Mayor Dong Xie, SJTU Communist Party Committee Secretary Zhenbin Yang, SJTU President KuiLing Ding, and SAIF Executive Director Guangshao Tu.
During his remarks, Mayor Gong emphasized that SAIF must thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's recent speech in Shanghai. Aligned with major national needs and the city's important mission, SAIF should improve talent development, academic research, and social services to support the "Five Centers" initiative for high-level reform and opening up. This will provide talent and intellectual support for Shanghai's modernization.
Established in 2009, SAIF aims to develop a top financial think tank, relying on world-class faculty and an international, open environment. Mayor Gong and his delegation listened to an introduction of SAIF's development.
Mayor Gong affirmed SAIF's positive contributions to Shanghai International Financial Center construction since its founding. He expressed three hopes for the institute's future. First, accelerate building a world-class, Chinese financial education model. Deepen think tank research on strategic, global, and cutting-edge financial issues to inform policymaking. Second, develop systematic, innovative financial curricula and an international faculty. Innovate “Industry-Academia-Research” collaborative training to cultivate high-level talent and support Shanghai’s talent base construction. Third, support Shanghai’s high-level reform and opening up efforts, enhancing the city’s attractiveness for domestic and foreign financial sector investment. Mayor Gong pledged the Municipal Party Committee and Government's continued support for SAIF's development.
