Shanghai Delegation Visits Istanbul

A delegation led by Mr. Hu Wenrong, Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visited Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on November 12. The delegation met with Deputy Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pelin Alpkökin, Head of the Foreign Relations Department Mr. Barbaros Büyüksağnak, and Director of Foreign Relations Mr. Fahri Murat Tuncay. The meeting focused on opportunities stemming from the 35th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Istanbul and Shanghai, with discussions covering infrastructure development, rail systems, environmental projects, and economic partnerships.

Ms. Alpkökin outlined Istanbul’s goals for sustainable urban development, emphasizing the importance of technology transfer and potential joint projects with Shanghai. Mr. Hu expressed confidence that the relationship between the two cities would further deepen within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Later the same day, a roundtable meeting titled “Promoting High-Quality Development of Modern Urban Infrastructure” convened. Mr. Büyüksağnak and senior representatives from IMM subsidiaries and affiliates—including İSKİ, İMAR A.Ş, KİPTAŞ, İSTON, İSBAK, Istanbul Energy, İSTAÇ, UGETAM and Metro Istanbul— met with the CPPCC delegation and representatives from ten Shanghai-based companies. The meeting featured presentations on transportation, infrastructure, and environmental projects, where participants evaluated opportunities for collaboration and explored potential partnerships between the two cities.