Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining meets Adidas Group CEO Bjoern Gulden.[Photo/www.shobserver.com]

Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining met with Adidas Group CEO Bjoern Gulden on Sept 23 in Shanghai.

The Adidas chief was in town for the 36th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai.

Chen emphasized that Shanghai is accelerating its development as an international retailing hub and a globally renowned sports city – incorporating cultural and sports development as vital components for continuing to build itself a people-centered city.

The aim, Chen added, was to better meet the aspirations of locals for a better life.

He called on Adidas – a globally recognized brand in sports and fashion – to seize the opportunities arising from the upgrades in China's markets, retailing, and industry.

Chen encouraged the company to increase its investment in Shanghai, to optimize its business layout and leverage its competitive advantages in research and design.

He also expressed the hope for collaboration with partners to introduce more innovative products and services to the global market – fostering cultural and sports exchanges between China and Europe, particularly among young people.

Shanghai is committed to creating a first-class business environment characterized by market-oriented, rule-based, and international standards, said Chen, adding that the city is expected to continue to enhance its efforts in such areas as intellectual property protection, regulatory framework developments, and policy support – to foster innovation and enable companies to thrive in Shanghai.

Gulden congratulated Shanghai on the successful convening of the 36th IBLAC and reaffirmed his group's commitment to long-term development in Shanghai, which is a key city in its global strategy.

He expressed a desire to deepen cooperation and collaborative innovation in areas such as sports technology and green sustainability. The aim is to provide consumers with better products and experiences while contributing to the high-quality development of Shanghai's sports and fashion industries.

The CEO also emphasized the importance of building platforms and organizing activities to serve as a bridge for friendly exchanges between Europe and China, as well as between Germany and China.