On the afternoon of yesterday (July 2), the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality held a press briefing. Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, introduced the overall arrangement for the “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season. Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Cheng Meihong, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, Luo Wenhua, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, Jing Ying, first-level inspector of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Miao Jun, second-level inspector of the Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, attended the press briefing and answered questions from reporters.Shanghai serves as a major hub for international travelers, offering a gateway to enter and exit China. The city’s open, inclusive, and innovative character has fostered a rich cultural atmosphere, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. Summer, the peak season for global tourism, brings a unique urban experience and a variety of activities, making Shanghai a prime destination for high-quality summer leisure and vacation services. Recently, the rapid restoration of international flights, expansion of visa-free countries, and steady growth in domestic tourism consumption have created favorable conditions for Shanghai to attract more international tourists and boost consumption by foreign visitors. With the support and guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and other national departments, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, in collaboration with the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Shanghai Administration of Sports, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government has organized the first “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season. This event will launch on July 6 and continue until the second weekend of October. 1. The overall preparation for the eventsWe have extensively mobilized industry associations and market players, leveraging the significant draw of exhibitions, culture and art, tourism, and sports. Together, we have planned and launched 100 events under the theme of “7+58+X” covering business, travel, culture, sports and exhibitions to offer diverse consumption scenarios for both domestic and international consumers.First, seven benchmark events with strong international appeal are now prepared. Among them, five events are making their debut this year: 1. “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt”: Co-organized by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Shanghai Museum, early bird tickets for this exhibition went on sale on May 20. 2. The First Shanghai International Cruise Festival: Inaugurated by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, and the Shanghai Administration of Sports, this festival will feature special events like the Old Wharf Cruise Carnival, Global Harbor Cruise Style Experience Week, Oriental Pearl Wharf Style Show, Liuhe Road Cruise Style Street, and Cruise Open Day. 3. City Walk Pro Shanghai City Experience Season: Led by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and developed in collaboration with the RED, this initiative offers curated City Walk Pro routes and activities across various time periods, aimed at providing the best Shanghai experience to domestic and international tourists. 4. The First Shanghai International Light Festival: Organized by the Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, this festival will include the architectural projection show, the light art installation exhibition, the Shanghai landscape lighting exhibition, and the launch of the city light map, highlighting Shanghai’s nighttime charm. The main venue will host the Global Landscape Lighting Industry Exhibition, which is now open to registration for exhibitors. 5. The First Shanghai International Electronic Music Festival: Jointly organized by Jiushi Culture and Communication and the Storm Music Festival team, this event will take place at Shanghai Citizen Sports Park in Jiading. It will feature top international DJs and music producers, promising an immersive audio-visual celebration of music and art with an expected turnout of more than 30,000 attendees. Jiushi Culture and Communication has released an online promotional video.Additionally, there are two ongoing benchmark events: 1. Shanghai Tourism Festival: Organized by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, this festival will reintroduce the opening parade and focus on a series of themed activities such as night tours, seasonal highlights, weekly events, and celebrations under the theme of “Visit Shanghai.” 2. ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai 2024: Hosted by the Shanghai Administration of Sports, this tournament is one of nine ATP Masters 100 events, representing the highest-level tennis competition held by the ATP in Asia.Second, 58 key events spanning business, travel, culture, sports, and exhibitions will be gradually launched. These include 18 exhibitions, 15 business events, 12 sports events, 9 cultural performances, and 4 tourism festivals. Notably, eight of these events will be held for the first time this year: 1. CLE Shanghai International Creative Quality Life Festival: This festival will interact with more than 20 landmark business districts in the city, featuring creative activities such as trendy pop-up stores, art exhibitions, special shopping experiences, and cultural events. 2. Shanghai Yangpu Beer Festival: Held at Oriental Fisherman’s Wharf in Yangpu District from September 17 to October 7, this festival will offer a German-style themed carnival. 3. Eternal Notre-Dame Exhibition: Launched at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on July 10, this eight-month exhibition will recreate the magnificent panoramic view of Notre-Dame de Paris using virtual reality technology. 4. Blue Man Group Resident Performance: The Blue Man Show, which has performed for 25 years in cities like Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, and Berlin, will have its only resident show in Asia in Shanghai. 5. Wallace Chan: Half a Century Jewelry Exhibition: This is the world’s largest personal art exhibition by contemporary jewelry artist Wallace Chan. 6. Cartier Trinity 100 Exhibition: Held from July 4 to 28, this exhibition is the only stop of this series in China. 7. Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto: From July 12 to November 24, the Power Station of Art will host a large-scale retrospective of the life and works of Chanel’s founder, marking the first such exhibition in China. 8. Meet the European Cup in Shanghai at Found158: From June 14 to July 14, this event will feature activities such as European Cup dining packages, live music, and AR/VR football interactive competitive games.Third, summer activities in Shanghai are constantly being enriched. Various districts and market players have actively responded to the events by organizing or developing special activities for “Shanghai Summer.” Currently, 35 activities are in preparation. For example, the D'Alembert's Dream French Light Parade, which has held more than 2,000 performances worldwide, is being introduced to Shanghai for the first time this year. The Great 100 Terroir Wineries and Wines of Italy Show brings together fine wines from 20 wine-producing regions and is a renowned Italian wine event in Asia. Additionally, the premiere ceremony of Saga City of Light marks the first Chinese debut of European experiential theater. Other events include the Happy Valley EV Music Festival, the FIBA 3x3 Masters (Shanghai Chongming), the China Endurance Championship, and the Shanghai Chao Life Festival.To better serve domestic and international tourists, Shanghai has launched the smart event schedule for the “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season. This schedule can be accessed by searching for “I GO Shanghai” on the WeChat Mini Program.2. Services and supporting measures further improvedWe are enhancing comprehensive services to meet visitors’ needs in transportation, accommodation, tourism, catering, shopping, and entertainment, creating an international-friendly consumption environment that delights visitors and makes them feel at home.First, businesses will actively participate in the “Shanghai Summer” marketing and promotion plan. China Telecom and China Mobile are launching specific mobile data plans for inbound travelers, with service points at Pudong and Hongqiao airport terminals. Additionally, brand hotels and airlines will offer discounted rooms and airfares respectively, to be detailed in their final “Shanghai Summer” special product plans. Please watch for company announcements.Second, we will implement various measures to cater to the needs of foreigners in Shanghai. A bilingual guide for luggage storage in key business districts is available, with 500 luggage storage points in the city’s commercial areas by the end of July. The coverage of luggage storage and bilingual signs in key districts and malls will be continually improved. The 2024 guide for departure tax refund has been released, and 14 “international friendly shopping malls” have been selected to provide luggage storage, foreign card payment, departure tax refunds, and bilingual services. The convenience of foreign card payments will also be enhanced, with a payment service guide for foreigners produced by the Shanghai headquarters of the People’s Bank of China and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.Moving forward, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, in collaboration with the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Shanghai Administration of Sports, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and other relevant departments and districts, will focus on mobilizing market entities and improving services to promote the “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season activities. We welcome travelers from all over the world to join “Shanghai Summer” and experience the season with us!