Shanghai Hosts Global M&A Conference to Boost Deal Activity

East China’s leading business hub, Shanghai, hosted a major Global M&A Finance Conference on Saturday, aimed at accelerating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity across China and international markets. The event brought together financial institutions, corporates, investors, and industry experts to discuss strategies for strengthening the global M&A ecosystem.

The conference comes at a time when companies worldwide are increasingly turning to M&A as a key growth strategy amid slowing organic growth, technological transformation, and evolving global supply chains.

Key Takeaway from the Conference

The central focus of the conference was to enhance deal-making efficiency and expand cross-border M&A activity, positioning Shanghai as a major global hub for mergers and acquisitions. Participants emphasized building a stronger financial support system to help companies execute strategic acquisitions both domestically and internationally.

Why the Yangtze River Delta Matters

According to data shared at the conference:

• The Yangtze River Delta region accounts for nearly 45% of China’s total M&A transactions
• In value terms, the region contributes around 60% of the country’s total M&A deal value
• Shanghai continues to act as the financial and corporate center of the region

These figures highlight why policymakers and financial institutions are focusing on East China as the backbone of China’s M&A market.

Launch of a New M&A Alliance

One of the major announcements at the conference was the formation of a new M&A Alliance, comprising:

• Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
• China Pacific Insurance Group
• Guotai Haitong Securities

The alliance aims to provide integrated financial support for M&A transactions. Its targets include:

• Supporting over 1.2 trillion yuan worth of M&A deals between 2025 and 2027
• Facilitating more than 400 billion yuan in deals within Shanghai alone
• Providing M&A-related services to over 1,200 corporate clients

Industry experts view this collaboration as a significant step toward streamlining M&A financing and execution.

China M&A Composite Index Introduced

The conference also marked the launch of the China M&A Composite Index, a new benchmark designed to track:

• Overall M&A market activity
• Deal volume and deal quality
• Financing conditions
• Execution efficiency

The index is expected to offer investors and corporates a clearer picture of trends and momentum in China’s M&A market.

Implications for Global Investors

The developments announced at the conference are not limited to China alone. Analysts believe the initiative will:

• Create new opportunities for cross-border M&A involving global investors
• Strengthen Shanghai’s role as an international financial center
• Encourage increased deal activity in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, green energy, and healthcare

As global interest rates stabilize and corporate balance sheets improve, China’s structured push toward M&A could attract renewed foreign capital.

Expert Views

Market experts noted that global M&A activity is entering a recovery phase after recent volatility. With improved financing access and clearer policy direction, China’s East Coast — led by Shanghai — is well positioned to capture a larger share of global deal flows.

Outcome

The Global M&A Finance Conference held in Shanghai signals China’s strong intent to deepen its role in the global mergers and acquisitions landscape. With the creation of a new M&A alliance, the launch of a market-wide index, and a clear focus on cross-border deals, East China is emerging as a critical engine of global M&A growth.