At the recent opening ceremony of the 2025 Lujiazui Forum, the People’s Bank of China (PBC) first announced eight financial opening-up measures, including a plan to launch a comprehensive pilot of offshore trade financial services in the Lingang New Area, Shanghai. With this, Lingang has embarked on its journey to align itself with international financial hubs like Hong Kong and London. As more banks and financial institutions establish a presence in Dishui Lake Financial Bay, financial “seeds” are sprouting in this fertile land, closest to the sea; they will grow into towering trees, forging the new horizon of China’s financial opening-up.
The latest session of the Lingang International Student Seed Program (the “Program”) focuses on a key question: “In Lingang New Area, when cutting-edge financial education meets the most promising financial bay, what kind of future sparks will they ignite?” This summer, a group of international students from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), hailing from Spain, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Mexico, and other countries, explored Lingang through the event “Haihu Charm · Lingang Exploration Journey”.
Just two years ago, their alma mater - SUFE, officially sowed the “seed” of future financial development: Dishui Lake Advanced Finance Institute, SUFE (SUFE-DAFI). Planted in Lingang’s fertile soil for innovation and entrepreneurship, this seed of international education took root firmly on the coast of the East China Sea.
Through urban research, VLOG creation, music concerts, youth dialogues, and roundtable forums, these international young people embarked on a deep exploration of their “international study journey” in Lingang, one defined by “reflecting by the water and learning towards the sea”. They experienced the seamless integration of cutting-edge finance and a world-class business school, and gained insight into how Lingang New Area, as a key national strategic zone, was building a global hub for financial talent and a pilot zone for institutional innovation.
A World-class Business School Takes Root on the Coast of the East China Sea:
The Experience of Studying in Shanghai’s Closest Spot to the Sea Feels Tangible
From Hardware Facilities to Academic Atmosphere:
Lingang’s Uncompromising Pursuit of an International Campus Speaks Volumes Without Words
From the Blueprint of an International Campus to Its Concrete Construction:
The Fusion of Lingang’s Internationalization and Academic Excellence Unfolds Vividly Here
From the Historical Echoes of ZHENG He’s Voyages to the Western Seas to the Future Blueprint of Industrial Planning:
The Blend of Ancient and Modern in Lingang Comes Alive Here
From Dialogues with the Dean to Intellectual Exchanges Among Alumni:
Sparks of Thought Collision Shine Brightly in International Classrooms
From Academic Pursuit to Innovation Collaboration:
The Vitality of Chinese and International Youth Exploring New Opportunities in Lingang Surges Warmly
From Exotic Melodies to Local Rhythms:
The Warm Flow of Youthful Friendship Between Chinese and International Students Blends with Dishui Lake’s Scenery
From Strolling by the Lake to Boating on the Water:
The Sports Charm of an International Coastal City Is Within Easy Reach at Dishui Lake
From Youth Perspectives to Global Blueprints:
The Spark of Wisdom from “My Vision for Lingang’s Future” Lights Up the Flame of Dreams at This Moment
Lingang’s “Haihu Charm Journey” is filled with:
The passion of sailing with the wind;
Cross-era cultural exchanges that transcend time;
Technology dialogues that feel like “meeting the future”;
And the global financial bay where sea breezes blow gently and ideas flow freely...
SUFE’s international students all agreed: “In Lingang, finance is no longer an abstract textbook concept, it is real-world scenarios within arm’s reach instead, and even a vivid practice of connecting this lake, this sea, and the world.”
The encounter between Lingang as an international city and SUFE’s international youth is like a story of mutual nourishment: Lingang, like fertile land, turns institutional dividends into sunshine and rain; SUFE, like a deep-rooted seed, spreads its academic roots in the soil of financial opening-up; The students, like newly sprouted shoots, cultivate and broaden a global perspective amid the lake and sea.
Going forward, Lingang New Area will continue to refine and elevate the Program as a talent brand. It will guide more outstanding international students to contribute insights to the future development of the new city from a global perspective, enabling youth wisdom to fuel Lingang’s international growth.
