The 2026 Jiangsu French-Funded Enterprises Roundtable was recently held in Nanjing. Vice Governor Zhao Yan attended the event and delivered remarks. Joan Valadou, the French Consul General in Shanghai, along with principal officials from relevant provincial and municipal government departments and representatives of 34 French-funded enterprises, participated in the meeting.

Zhao Yan noted that despite rare external shocks last year, Jiangsu fulfilled its role as a major economic powerhouse, ranking first nationwide in export growth and total retail sales, indicating strong industrial resilience and market vitality. More than 400 Fortune Global 500 companies, including French firms, have invested in Jiangsu. The province has also established nearly 400 pairs of international sister cities, highlighting both a world-class industrial ecosystem and its openness and inclusiveness. Zhao expressed hope that, under the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, cooperation between Jiangsu and France will continue to expand in trade and investment, technological innovation, green and low-carbon development, and cultural exchanges. Leveraging opportunities such as hosting high-level international conferences like the 32nd APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, Jiangsu will introduce a new round of opening-up measures, further improve the business environment, and create broader market opportunities for enterprises from France and around the world.

Consul General Joan Valadou spoke highly of Jiangsu’s business environment, noting its important role in advancing China-France cooperation across all domains. He expressed hope for further collaboration between Jiangsu and France in areas such as trade in services and two-way investment.