When Michael Kruppe first set foot in Shanghai in 1989, the Pudong New Area stood as undeveloped farmland across the Huangpu River. Today, as he walks through the forest of skyscrapers in Lujiazui's financial district, the German expatriate embodies living proof of China's transformative growth and sustained opening-up.
"The pace of development defies imagination," Kruppe reflects, recalling how Shanghai's skyline has evolved from low-rise structures to hosting the world's second-tallest building. The 2013 establishment of China's first pilot Free Trade Zone in Shanghai marked a turning point, accelerating trade innovation and attracting global enterprises through streamlined customs procedures and financial reforms.
This year, China continues expanding international cooperation through platforms like the China International Import Expo, which has become a cornerstone for global businesses accessing Asian markets. Recent data shows cross-border e-commerce transactions through Shanghai's FTZ grew 18% year-on-year in Q3 2025, demonstrating sustained economic vitality.
From empty warehouses to blockchain-powered smart ports, Kruppe's personal journey mirrors China's integration with global economic systems. "What began as tentative reforms," he observes, "has matured into institutionalized openness benefiting partners worldwide."
