San Francisco delegation visits Shanghai, strengthens cultural and tourism ties

A San Francisco delegation, led by Mayor Daniel Lurie, began a two-day visit to Shanghai on April 19 to bolster cultural and tourism cooperation between the two cities.

The visit marked a significant step in deepening the longstanding friendship and collaboration that have flourished between Shanghai and San Francisco over the past 46 years.

On April 19, the delegation began their visit at the 147-year-old Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, followed by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Shanghai Natural History Museum — a branch of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum — and the Shanghai Grand Opera House. The following day, the delegation visited the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

During these two days, four memorandums of understanding were signed: between the SCM and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; between the SSTM and the California Academy of Sciences; between the Shanghai Opera House and the San Francisco Opera, and between the San Francisco Ballet and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

"Our cities share a partnership that is nearly five decades strong. It is a dialogue that has never stopped," Lurie said. "We are building on that foundation and investing in a future where science, education and sustainability remain at the center of our partnership."

David Stull, president of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, said the two cities are united by a shared forward-looking spirit.

"When people are excited about new ideas, they gravitate to others who are excited about new ideas. San Francisco and Shanghai have always shared that spirit of imagination, innovation and the spirit of the future," he said.

The delegation also joined a dual-city tourism promotion event at Xintiandi in Huangpu district.

Launched by United Airlines and San Francisco International Airport, the initiative aims to boost tourism by showcasing the distinctive attractions and cultural experiences in both cities.

"We really see China as a growing market for us. There's a lot of leisure and business travel demand," said Mike Nakornkhet, director of San Francisco International Airport.

The delegation also took an evening cruise along the Huangpu River, where they attended a reception commemorating the 46th anniversary of the Shanghai-San Francisco friendship city relationship.