2026 Hongqiao HUB Conference unveils its theme

The 2026 Hongqiao HUB Conference will be held in Shanghai on Nov 6 as part of the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum, focusing on how Hongqiao can support Chinese businesses in expanding overseas.

The theme, "A World-Class Hub for Opening-Up: Hongqiao as a Strategic Pivot for Businesses Going Global," was announced at a media briefing on Oct 27.

The event is a sub-forum on the development of the Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub. The hub, as a national-level platform, is playing an increasingly prominent role in supporting Chinese companies as they expand globally, according to organizers.

This year's conference will bring together experts and business leaders to explore new opportunities in global markets, share practical business insights, and discuss how professional services can help companies expand internationally.

Ian Goldin, a professor at the University of Oxford and former vice-president of the World Bank, will explain how enterprises can select global markets and build competitive advantages amid the evolving landscape.

Gordon Naylor, interim CEO and managing director of Australian biotech giant CSL, and Zhou Yuxiang, founder and CEO of Black Lake Technologies, whose entities have established a presence in Hongqiao, will share their full-chain practices from R&D to global expansion.

A HUB Dialogue session will examine common challenges companies face when going global.

The event will unveil a globalization platform for private enterprises, a 2026 white paper on Hongqiao's overseas comprehensive service system, and a collection of case studies on the global expansion of innovative companies in the Yangtze River Delta region.