"For us, it's a must to be in Shanghai," says Claude Maillot, executive advisor to the president of the Bureau Veritas Marine and Offshore Division.

The company serves the maritime industry and is expanding quite a lot in Shanghai.

"We are very proud to have been working together with Chinese ship builders and Chinese designers on the biggest container vessels built in Shanghai, which are less carbon-intensive." Maillot says.

Amazed by China's broad and rich culture, he is particularly interested in architecture. "I like the tile roofs in China," he says. "When I go somewhere, I'm very eager to take pictures of all the roofs."