Topic: 2025 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference & First Green Industry and Sustainable Consumption Expo The 2025 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference is being held from October 16 to 18 at the Expo Park in Huangpu District, Shanghai. This conference is jointly organized by the World Green Design Organization (WGDO) and Sina Group, with the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) Beijing Office as a collaborator. Sina Finance and the Beijing Representative Office of the World Green Design Organization are the event organizers, supported by the Huangpu District Government of Shanghai. As a global partner of the conference, Shen Energy Group facilitated discussions in the "Shen Energy Group Special Forum" around the core theme of "Shanghai Actions and Diverse Synergy in Global Transformation," addressing topics such as "Creating a Sustainable Eastern Model," "Decoding Sustainable Dynamics of Shanghai's Industrial Upgrading," and "Exploring New Growth Paradigms of Shanghai's Five Centers." Hu Junjie, Vice President of Yuyuan Group, attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech. Faced with the impacts of geopolitical tensions and supply chain transformations challenging the traditional "cost-first" competitive model, how can Chinese companies convey their advantages on the global stage? Hu Junjie suggested breaking the communication misunderstanding of “self-justifying advantages” by prioritizing culture and building trust through the logic of "making friends." Hu pointed out that the core obstacle to international communication today is not "insufficient Chinese advantages," but rather the "stereotypes arising from information silos." Chinese companies often fall into the trap of "rational self-justification," repeatedly emphasizing product rationality and technical advantages while neglecting the resistance stemming from a lack of understanding of Chinese culture. "When the other party views you through a stereotype, no amount of evidence will be persuasive." He believes that the key to resolving this dilemma lies in "softness first": initiating cultural exchanges to eliminate barriers, then conveying core values. The practices of Yuyuan over the past two years validate this approach—promoting the Yuyuan Lantern Festival, which showcases Chinese folk culture, in France, Thailand, and Vietnam, with plans to extend to Singapore and Europe in the future. In a setting rich with traditional food and dynamic lantern displays, local people and partners first establish a positive impression of Chinese culture, significantly enhancing receptiveness when communicating corporate values and strengths. “Firmly affirming one's advantages is fundamental, but 'how to convey' is more important than 'what to convey,'” emphasized Hu Junjie. He asserted that as global competition paradigms shift, Chinese companies need to move away from the inertia of "hard reasoning" and instead, use culture as a platform and emotional connections as entry points, which is essential for future international communications. From the end of 2023 to early 2024, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival will make its international debut in Paris, attracting nearly 200,000 local observers and showcasing several time-honored brands and quality domestic products. On the night of June 28, 2025, the Thailand Yuyuan Lantern Festival will be officially illuminated at the renowned commercial landmark ICONSIAM in Bangkok. This interactive and immersive exhibition will consolidate a market of cultural themes, presenting the unique inclusiveness and appeal of traditional folk activities, represented by the Yuyuan Lantern Festival, over its 50-day duration. From September 22 to October 12, 2025, the “Dancing Butterfly for Mid-Autumn Festival” light artwork will debut at the Mid-Autumn Celebration in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. The design is inspired by ancient Chinese classics such as "Shanhaijing" and "Zhuangzi," which not only represent Chinese cultural heritage but also resonate culturally and emotionally with global Chinese communities. Since its inaugural event in 1995, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival has become an iconic folk cultural activity for the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, the festival continues to explore innovative transformations and actively steps out to become a globally recognized Chinese intellectual property, serving as a platform for cultural exchanges between the East and West. While the Yuyuan Lantern Festival sails towards international expansion, Yuyuan Group's various industries and brands are also accelerating their overseas plans and actively expanding into international markets. Among them, the jewelry brand Laomiao has opened its first overseas store in Malaysia and aims to use Southeast Asia as a strategic foothold to progressively advance global expansion. The time-honored restaurant brand Songhelou has opened its first overseas location in London, introducing the unique Su-style noodles to the global market and commencing Yuyuan's dining brand's international journey. Other restaurant brands, including Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop, are also exploring overseas markets, including Southeast Asia, seeking to bring authentic Chinese cuisine to local consumers. From the international blooming of the Yuyuan Lantern Festival to the establishment of overseas points in jewelry, fashion, and dining, Yuyuan Group is showcasing vibrant narratives of Chinese brands in global markets through its diverse brand matrix and rich cultural connotations, promoting the brilliant rise of Chinese culture on the world stage while contributing to the overseas development of Chinese brands and the promotion of Chinese culture abroad.
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