Shanghai enterprises delegation visits Linyi to explore win-win cooperation

Linyi, Dec. 15 – A delegation of 16 leading state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and 27 subsidiary companies from Shanghai arrived in Linyi, Shandong Province, on Wednesday to launch the three-day "Shanghai Enterprises' Yimeng Tour." Serving as a bridge for fostering partnerships, exploring collaboration opportunities, and pursuing win-win growth, this cross-regional initiative – spanning over 1,000 kilometers – not only materializes the "Deepened Cooperation Framework Agreement" between Shandong and Shanghai but also underscores Linyi’s proactive drive to integrate into the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) economic circle and advance toward its trillion-yuan GDP target.

Geographical distance has not hindered the aligned development visions of Shanghai and Linyi. As a national pacesetter in economic vitality, openness, and innovation, Shanghai possesses abundant capital, cutting-edge technology, and top-tier talent. Linyi, Shandong’s strategic southern gateway and a key access point to the YRD, is accelerating the development of a logistics hub linking the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and the YRD through its "Three Networks, Two Circles, and Two Hubs" infrastructure plan. Following the cooperation framework signed last year and Shandong’s recent "In-Depth Integration with the Yangtze River Delta" action plan, these policy dividends have steadily transformed the inherent bond between the two regions – grounded in geographical proximity, cultural affinity, economic complementarity, and shared values – into tangible collaborative momentum.

At the exchange forum, Zhang Baoliang, Secretary of the Linyi Municipal Party Committee, outlined the city’s competitive strengths: "Linyi is a region of scenic beauty, an emerging economic growth engine, a testing ground for technological innovation, a productive agricultural base, a thriving commercial hub, and a high-potential investment destination." Currently in a critical phase of developing into Shandong’s regional sub-center and pursuing the trillion-yuan GDP milestone, Linyi offers extensive cooperation opportunities with Shanghai across key sectors – including building signature industrial chains, advancing the internationalization and digital transformation of Linyi Mall, integrating cultural and tourism development, and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization.

Targeted business matching emerged as a central achievement of the event. "This visit has allowed us to witness Linyi’s industrial resilience and development potential firsthand," noted Wang Yong, Deputy Director of the Marketing Department at Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd. The collaboration builds on existing foundations: Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group established a new energy equipment company in Tancheng County, Linyi, earlier this year, focusing on wind power equipment manufacturing. It now plans to increase investment in emerging fields such as next-generation coal power and green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol. Chen Jinzhu, Director of Shanghai Industrial Investment (Group) Co., Ltd., added that the group has established a comprehensive presence across Linyi’s primary, secondary, and tertiary industries and will further support the region’s development through green and low-carbon projects.

Notable progress was also made in cultural tourism and agricultural cooperation. Zhao Bin, General Manager of Jinjiang International Group’s Northern Company, reported that the group has integrated Linyi’s cultural tourism resources and natural scenery into specialized travel products, which have received positive market feedback in the YRD. The company plans to expand trade cooperation going forward. Shao Liming, Food Industry Director of Bright Food Group, emphasized that full-chain agricultural collaboration with Linyi not only implements the Shanghai-Shandong strategic partnership but also enables Linyi’s high-quality agricultural products to reach broader markets via Shanghai’s platform, elevating bilateral agricultural cooperation.

For local Linyi enterprises, the event provided valuable opportunities for learning and leveraging external expertise. "The management experience and development models of Shanghai’s SOEs serve as practical references for our transformation and upgrading," stated Niu Sizheng, Chairman of Linyi Investment Development Group Co., Ltd. In addition to signing a joint project with Shanghai Shenergy Group, the company will engage in in-depth exchanges with Shanghai Electric to accelerate its development through talent and technology acquisition. Sun Mingming, Labor Union Chairperson of Linyi City Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd., expressed a similar commitment to expedite industrial planning and contribute to the high-quality development of Linyi’s industrial chains.

The signing ceremony featured six representative projects across multiple sectors: a Strategic Cooperation Project for Comprehensive Hydrogen Energy Application (focused on green development), financial cooperation initiatives (strengthening capital support), the Linyi Mall Medium-Term Note Underwriting Project (promoting commercial upgrading), an Agricultural Product Base Co-construction Project (activating agricultural potential), an Urban Water Supply and Drainage Cooperation Project (improving public welfare), and a Hotel Management Cooperation Project (advancing cultural tourism). These projects demonstrate the complementary resources between Shanghai and Linyi.

Beyond business matching, the event served as a dynamic platform where industrial demand met development resources. From Shanghai Electric’s expanded new energy investments to Bright Food’s deepened agricultural collaboration, and from hydrogen project signings to the implementation of financial services, cooperative momentum continues to build. By actively integrating into the YRD economic sphere, Linyi is harnessing the diligence and ingenuity of its people to translate opportunities from Shanghai into tangible outcomes – including industrial chain upgrades and accelerated project delivery.

With its natural advantages and strong development momentum, Linyi has charted a course toward broader markets with promising prospects. As Shanghai and Linyi join forces – uniting capital with industry and technology with markets – their partnership is poised for mutual empowerment and shared success. This cross-regional collaboration is set to yield substantial results and contribute a significant chapter to regional development.

Video and text by intern Liu Yue and Gu Yu

Editor：Lotus