The Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub charted its path forward at a news conference on March 21.
The hub covers an area of 7,000 square kilometers in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, encompassing Shanghai and parts of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.
Chen Guozhong, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, outlined three future focuses of the hub: enhancing regional integrated development, fostering innovation, and expanding openness.
Its core area, the Hongqiao International Central Business District, plans to accelerate its opening-up and attract more professional service providers, said Kong Fu'an, Party secretary of the district's administrative committee.
Last year, the business district's total imports and exports of goods increased 13 percent year-on-year, while trade in services jumped 80.9 percent. Exports to partner countries in the Silk Road e-commerce program surged 48.5 percent from the previous year.
The South Hongqiao area in Minhang district is accelerating development through institutional innovation and trade cooperation. Acting District Mayor Wu Qiang highlighted its focus on the Hongqiao Qianwan area, which is enhancing infrastructure to provide high-quality medical and educational resources.
The East Hongqiao area of Changning district is strengthening its headquarters, digital, and aviation economies. It is establishing a low-altitude airworthiness consulting service and a low-altitude economic research platform, said Liu Ping, head of the district.
In the North Hongqiao area of Jiading district, 77 technologically advanced small and medium-sized enterprises and 155 high-tech firms have set up operations. District Mayor Gao Xiang said the area is promoting the establishment of new oversees trade and development centers to foster an open economic environment.
The Western Hongqiao area of Qingpu district is developing the local headquarters economy. District Mayor Jin Xiaoming noted significant growth in investment and new enterprises and said the area is aiming to attract even more leading companies.
