Juan Mateos Budino, a Spanish student entrepreneur at Tongji University, expressed interest in Shanghai's business potential. "Shanghai is a center for business and is the perfect place for doing business. It is like a tough market but a good one to participate in."

Dahvida Falanitule, chairman of Shanghai E.I.C. Group Business Consulting Co Ltd, has witnessed Shanghai's transformation since 2000. "The evolution of government regulations has been remarkable. What once took six months to establish a foreign company can now be done in two to three weeks," Falanitule said, highlighting China's improved business environment.

Nikolay Shamov, CEO of Hermitage Co Ltd and an opera singer-conductor, shared his experience of starting a cultural education company in 2021. "It's a great time to do business in China. The government provides substantial support and numerous opportunities through various exhibitions and programs," he said.

Tina Ng, vice-chairperson of SingCham (Shanghai), who has spent two decades in China, emphasized the country's increasing transparency and efficiency. "Many procedures that previously required in-person visits can now be completed online. The system is becoming more integrated and accessible," she said.