When Shanghai mayor Han Zheng met with St Petersburg mayor Valentina Matwiyenko on Saturday during his visit to the Russian city, he said he hoped the ongoing“Shanghai Week”in St Petersburg will help its residents gain a better understanding of Shanghai.

Han told Madam Matwiyenko that Shanghai would further promote construction of the Baltic Pearl real estate complex in St Petersburg, which is Shanghai's largest overseas investment project, to make it a symbol of the friendship between the two cities.

Han thanked St Petersburg mayor for her help and support during the preparations for the“Shanghai Week”and the construction of the Baltic Pearl real estate complex. "Since the two cities established a friendly relationship 19 years ago, both cities have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges of visits and non-governmental exchanges and communications in various fields," said Han.

Madam Valentina Matwiyenko said that she believed the successful holding of“Shanghai Week”would further enhance ties between the two cities and her government would continue its support on the construction of the Baltic Pearl real estate complex.

Before the meeting, Han visited the Lenin Museum in St Petersburg with other government officials. He said that history should not be forgotten during his visit.