Hongqiao Tech Week names first speakers for Shanghai debut

Hongqiao Tech Week has announced its first speakers ahead of its Nov. 20-22 debut in Shanghai, with more than 200 speakers, 30,000 attendees and a big push to connect international companies with China’s tech ecosystem. The event lands as Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta deepen their role in AI, EVs and industrial tech.

Why it matters: - Hongqiao Tech Week is being positioned as a new meeting point for international companies seeking direct access to China’s technology market. - The event aims to connect global firms with Chinese AI, electric vehicle, biotech and infrastructure players in one place. - Shanghai and the wider Yangtze River Delta are already major technology and manufacturing hubs, which gives the event immediate strategic relevance.

What happened: - Hongqiao Tech Week announced its first wave of speakers ahead of its debut at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from 20 to 22 November 2026. - The event is produced by Informa through a partnership involving Tech Festivals and Informa Markets China. - Confirmed speakers include Simon Ninan of Hitachi, Alvaro Garrido of Standard Chartered, Conglong Jiang of Siemens, Foyu Yuan of Baidu, Jun Huang of Pony AI, Chris Lai of METiS TechBio, George Chen of The Asia Group and Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou of Tototheo Global. - Registration is open at hongqiaotechweek.com.

The details: - More than 200 speakers are expected across six stages: Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, Future Mobility & Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Startup, and Life Sciences & Health. - The program also includes more than 50,000 square metres of exhibition space, offsite lab tours, a startup pitch competition and TED-style Open Talks. - Organizers expect around 30,000 attendees. - Hongqiao is Shanghai’s international gateway to the Yangtze River Delta, a region that generates around a quarter of China’s GDP and about 30% of its economic growth. - The Delta builds four in 10 of China’s new energy vehicles. - High-speed rail from Hongqiao reaches Suzhou in 25 minutes and Hangzhou in 45. - The Hongqiao government said foreign investment in the district rose 70.9% year over year in 2025. - The district now hosts 283 municipal-level corporate headquarters and more than 7,000 digital economy enterprises. - Government participation will include high-level officials opening the ceremony and delegations from national, regional and municipal development zones. - Attendees will also have access to government receptions for exhibitors and sponsors. - Officials expected to participate include the Vice Mayor of Shanghai and representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Shanghai Qingpu District Government, the Management Committee of Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and the Shanghai Changning District Government.

Between the lines: - The event is being framed as more than a conference; it is a business development platform for foreign and Chinese companies looking for partnerships, market access and policy visibility. - The heavy government presence signals that policy access may be as important as product showcases for attendees. - The timing suggests organizers want to capture renewed global interest in China’s tech ecosystem at a moment when the country is advancing in AI and EVs. - Athena Gong, vice president of Asia and managing director of China at Informa Markets, said the event is designed so international companies can “stop watching and start meeting in real life.”

What's next: - The speaker lineup is expected to grow to more than 200 participants before the November event. - Organizers will continue building out the exhibition, lab tours, pitch competition and Open Talks program. - Visitor passes required for entry are available through the registration portal. - The first edition will take place 20-22 November 2026 in Shanghai’s Hongqiao CBD.

The bottom line: - Hongqiao Tech Week is trying to turn Shanghai’s tech strength into a global business marketplace, with government access, sector depth and scale as its main draws.