The Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau organized a study trip to Shanghai for students and faculty to gain insights into the development of the financial industry and strengthen industry–academia ties. Sponsored by the Macau Foundation and co-organized by the School of Finance and Management at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE), took place from June 7 to June 11 under the leadership of Associate Dean Eva Yueng Wah Khong. The delegation comprised 16 members, including Assistant Professor Jingying Zhao, Lecturer Simon Cheng Wai Sou, Lecturer Kelly Liang, and students from the faculties of Finance, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, Data Science, and International Tourism and Management.

On the morning of June 8, the delegation visited the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), where they were warmly received by SSE representative Ms. Xiaoke Wang. After presenting a comprehensive overview of the Exchange's historical development, Ms. Wang delivered an insightful lecture titled "Introduction and Development Background of Publicly Offered REITs." Through this session, students gained a systematic understanding of Publicly Offered Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an innovative financial instrument. They noted that the presentation significantly broadened their financial horizons, enhancing their grasp of asset listing, stable-income product design, and the essential role of financial services in supporting the real economy.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted from modern finance to cultural heritage as the delegation toured the Bronze Age exhibition in the East Wing of the Shanghai Museum. Students observed precious relics firsthand, including ancient bronzes and representative pottery, tracing the profound historical lineage of Chinese civilization. Through the narratives and craftsmanship embodied in these artifacts, the delegation developed a deeper appreciation for the richness of traditional Chinese culture, inspiring a strong sense of patriotism and cultural confidence among the participants.

On the morning of June 9, the delegation toured the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor. Representatives provided a comprehensive overview of the corridor's development milestones, spatial layout, key industry planning, and cross-regional collaboration models. The visit highlighted landmark achievements in technological breakthroughs, the transformation of research outcomes, integration of industry-academia-research, and the clustering of high-end industries. For CityU Macau students, the tour served as a vital bridge to understanding mainland regional development and innovation initiatives, significantly deepening their awareness of the Yangtze River Delta's evolving economic, technological, and industrial landscape.

On the afternoon of June 9, the delegation visited the School of Financial Management at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE), where they were warmly received by Dean Professor Yun Zhang, Associate Dean Professor Zheng, and Professor Xiaojing Chen. Faculty and students from both institutions engaged in substantive academic exchanges during a formal symposium, featuring lively discussions on financial discipline development, regional financial growth, cross-border cooperation, and models for cultivating financial talent. Participants shared insights on the financial landscape of the Yangtze River Delta and the service platform linking China with Portuguese-speaking countries, while also exchanging experiences in teaching, curriculum design, and research directions. Following the symposium, students from both universities joined an open dialogue session to discuss campus life, study experiences, and career aspirations, as well as emerging fields such as FinTech, green finance, and cross-border investment. The day concluded with a hands-on DIY craft workshop, where faculty and students deepened mutual understanding and built lasting friendships in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

On the morning of June 10, the delegation conducted a field visit to the Yangtze River Delta Ecological Green Integration Development Demonstration Zone, which spans Qingpu in Shanghai, Wujiang in Jiangsu, and Jiashan in Zhejiang. As a pioneering testing ground for the Yangtze River Delta Integration National Strategy, the zone focuses on transforming ecological advantages into green innovation and cross-regional collaborative governance. Through this visit, the delegation recognized green development as a vital driver of high-quality regional growth and noted the vast application potential of financial instruments in areas such as environmental equity trading, green credit, and carbon finance. The excursion enabled faculty and students to grasp the converging trends of "Green + Finance + Digital" from the perspective of regional governance and sustainable development, deepening their understanding of the nation's path toward a green, low-carbon transition.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the SILC Business School at Shanghai University for an academic exchange, where they were warmly received by Associate Dean Associate Professor Zhenyao Cai, Director of the International Department Haodong Gu, and International Department Manager Dingqiang Tang. During the symposium, both sides discussed discipline development, international talent cultivation, and cross-border academic cooperation. Associate Dean Cai introduced the college's history and achievements in Chinese-foreign cooperative education, while Director Gu shared experiences with international exchanges and dual-degree programs. Associate Dean Eva Yueng Wah Khong expressed gratitude for the hospitality and outlined the disciplinary strengths and study objectives of CityU Macau's Faculty of Finance. Both parties agreed that the two institutions share broad prospects for collaboration in finance, business management, and data science, and can strengthen connectivity through faculty and student exchanges, academic seminars, and joint research projects. Following the symposium, Shanghai University students guided the delegation on a campus tour, visiting teaching buildings, the library, and the international exchange center. The student guides enthusiastically introduced the campus's history and cultural highlights, fostering a warm and interactive atmosphere between the youth of both universities. This visit significantly enhanced mutual understanding, laid a solid foundation for future industry-academia-research cooperation, and offered CityU students a firsthand perspective on the educational philosophy and internationalization pathways of mainland universities.

On the morning of June 11, the delegation visited the Dongjiadu Branch of China Merchants Bank (CMB) Shanghai, where they were warmly welcomed by Branch Manager Dongcheng Shen. Guided by Manager Shen, faculty and students toured the banking hall, smart financial service area, and wealth management center, gaining insights into CMB's innovative practices in digital transformation, wealth management, and inclusive finance. Manager Shen also highlighted the bank's achievements in serving the real economy, supporting small and micro enterprises, and advancing green finance, emphasizing that interdisciplinary, international financial talents with technological literacy represent the industry's future competitive edge. During the discussion session, both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on industry-academia-research cooperation, internship base development, and joint talent cultivation models. Associate Dean Eva Yueng Wah Khong outlined the disciplinary strengths and talent development focus of CityU's Faculty of Finance, expressing aspirations to jointly promote cross-border cooperation and internship platforms connecting the Yangtze River Delta and the Greater Bay Area. This exchange laid a strong foundation for future collaboration.

The five-day study tour offered CityU faculty and students a rich and compact itinerary spanning capital market frontiers, regional science and technology innovation, green ecological governance, university academic exchanges, and visits to leading financial institutions. The journey deepened participants' understanding of mainland financial innovation, regional synergy, and green development, while fostering pragmatic cooperation between higher education institutions and financial organizations in both Shanghai and Macau. Through this cross-disciplinary experience, students broadened their academic horizons, strengthened their awareness of finance's role in serving the real economy, and cultivated a strong sense of national pride through cultural immersion. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the Macau Foundation for its sponsorship, and to the School of Financial Management at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) for their meticulous arrangements and thoughtful care of the CityU Macau delegation. This event exemplifies the Faculty of Finance's educational philosophy of integrating industry, academia, and research while cultivating international, interdisciplinary talent. It has also laid a solid foundation for deeper cooperation between Shanghai and Macau in financial education, talent cultivation, and regional collaborative development.

Fei Jiang, Doctor's Student, Faculty of Finance

"During our delegation's visit to the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, I was deeply impressed by the concentration of breakthroughs from aerospace and artificial intelligence enterprises, which vividly illustrate the breathtaking pace of technological iteration and the economic vitality of the mainland. Equally striking was our exploration of the demonstration zone for green and integrated ecological development, which revealed a modern, culturally rich, and comfortable living environment reminiscent of a traditional Jiangnan water town. This seamless blend of heritage and modernity underscores that a thriving community is not only essential for professional success but also a key factor in talent retention.

As the saying goes, "As we sail in the same boat, let us hoist the sails together; riding the wind and cleaving the waves, we shall embark on a ten-thousand-mile voyage." Shanghai boasts a comprehensive technological industrial chain, a multi-tiered capital market, and a mature technology finance ecosystem. Macau, by contrast, offers unique institutional advantages-serving as a bridge to Portuguese-speaking countries while excelling in offshore bond issuance and cross-border RMB clearing. The resources of Shanghai and Macau complement each other perfectly, and their developmental experiences provide valuable opportunities for mutual learning. In particular, Shanghai's rich expertise in venture capital and equity investment offers a vital reference for Macau as it actively launches its industrial guiding funds. The deep-rooted international heritage of both cities makes this cooperation a natural alignment.

Looking ahead, we should continue to deepen mutual empowerment by promoting university interactions and cross-regional collaboration among industry, academia, and research, thereby facilitating the smooth circulation of talent. By co-building cross-border industry-finance platforms, we can leverage the financial bond between Shanghai and Macau to drive technological innovation in the Yangtze River Delta, as well as the diversified and green industries of Hengqin and Macau. In doing so, we will strengthen their interface with global markets and achieve a higher level of international development."

Jiaqi Zhao, Doctor's Student, Faculty of Finance

"Organized by the Faculty of Finance at CityU Macau and sponsored by the Macao Foundation, the "Shanghai-Macau Regional Financial Synergy and Development Tour" came at a pivotal moment for me, as I near the completion of my doctoral studies while continuing to deepen my professional roots in Hong Kong's financial industry. As both a practitioner and a researcher, this study tour enabled me to re-examine the mainland's financial development through multiple lenses-macro policies, market construction, and regional synergy. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for the vision and dedication of CityU Macau's Faculty of Finance in cultivating high-level, application-oriented financial talent, which was reflected in four key aspects:

• First, the outstanding value of the high-level cross-border exchange platform established by the Faculty.
• Second, a more systematic understanding of the institutional construction of the mainland capital market.
• Third, the in-depth exploration of the wealth management sector, which has greatly enriched the Faculty's practical teaching resources.
• Fourth, the profound insights gained regarding industrial synergy and financial linkage.

Looking ahead, the Faculty of Finance should continue to leverage its dual role as a think tank and a cradle for talent cultivation, fostering substantive cooperation among Shanghai, Macau, and Hengqin in cutting-edge fields such as FinTech, cross-border wealth management, green finance, and industrial finance."

Lecturer Kelly Liang, Faculty of Finance

“It was a tremendous honor to serve as one of the leading instructors throughout this deeply meaningful tour. The journey not only deepened our macroeconomic understanding of China's financial markets and policies, but also built a solid bridge for financial exchange and collaborative talent cultivation between Shanghai and Macau.

Over the five-day itinerary, we visited industry benchmarks such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange and China Merchants Bank. Through face-to-face dialogues with frontline financial professionals, our students gained valuable insights into the latest industry practices. This seamless integration of theory and practice greatly broadened their professional horizons. Our visits to the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the demonstration zone for green and integrated ecological development offered firsthand experience of how finance acts as "living water" precisely nourishing innovation-driven industries and advancing the mission of modern finance in driving a green, low-carbon transition. Furthermore, our academic exchanges at the School of Financial Management at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) and the SILC Business School at Shanghai University sparked vibrant discussions on FinTech and cross-border finance, powerfully advancing cooperation in financial education between the two regions. This fruitful journey expanded our students' professional perspectives and deepened their awareness of national financial strategies. Looking ahead, the Faculty of Finance will continue to dedicate itself to cultivating interdisciplinary financial talents with strong national pride, international vision, and professional competence-contributing CityU's strength to the financial synergy of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area.”

Assistant Professor Jingying Zhao, Faculty of Finance

"I am privileged to have participated in this study trip. Although the five-day journey was brief, it proved to be immensely rewarding. The exchanges with faculty and students from the School of Financial Management at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) and the SILC Business School at Shanghai University (SILC) provided me with a clearer understanding of each institution's developmental trajectory, valuable insights to draw upon, and potential avenues for future student exchange programs. Walking through the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the demonstration zone for green and integrated ecological development offered a vivid glimpse into the real-world application of green finance in the region. In addition, visiting China Merchants Bank-an industry benchmark in retail banking-deepened my understanding of current strategies for bank differentiation."

Mingli Su, Master's Student, Faculty of International Tourism and Management

"As the ancient Chinese poem reminds us, "You cannot know the true face of Mount Lu simply because you are standing in the midst of it." As a student of International Tourism Management, joining this Shanghai study tour organized by the Faculty of Finance felt like stepping beyond my comfort zone to discover a much wider world.

Though the five days were compact, they were profoundly enriching. At the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the flickering numbers on the screens revealed to me that the prosperity of the tourism industry is inseparable from the "living wate" of capital. Witnessing the grand vision of the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the demonstration zone for green and integrated ecological development felt like observing destination management at its highest level. During our university exchanges, I realized that across disciplines, genuine human interaction remains the most direct and moving form of connection. Interpreting financial services through the lens of a tourism student made this journey truly eye-opening.

Ultimately, the most beautiful part of this trip was not the data or the blueprints, but the people. Our leader guided us like a calm navigator, offering encouragement and insights at key moments. Professors generously shared their expertise, never hesitating to give their time. My peers, diverse in age and background, brought unique stories and strengths. We supported one another-whether packing luggage or caring for those unwell-and bonded so naturally that late-night conversations became a cherished routine. Coming from different fields, we met and connected because of this journey. I realized that the most stunning scenery of cross-disciplinary learning lies not only in the knowledge gained, but in finding companions willing to walk side by side."