Shanghai has unveiled its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), setting out the city's economic and social priorities for the period.

Targets for 2030 and 2035

By 2030, Shanghai aims to significantly strengthen its role as an international center for economy, finance, trade, shipping, and science and technology innovation, collectively known as the "Five Centers". The city also seeks major progress in reform and institutional opening-up, alongside continued improvements in living standards.

By 2035, Shanghai plans to fully enhance its functions as the "Five Centers", double its 2020 per capita GDP, and build a modern international metropolis with stronger global influence.

Strengthening growth drivers

1. International Economic Center

Shanghai will improve the competitiveness of its modern industrial system, with advanced manufacturing as the backbone:

• Upgrading traditional industries through digitalization and green transformation
• Developing three leading sectors: integrated circuits, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence
• Building six emerging pillar industries: next-generation information technology, intelligent new energy vehicles, high-end equipment, advanced materials, green energy, and fashion consumer goods
• Laying out six future-oriented industries: manufacturing, information, materials, energy, space, and health

The city will further deepen its role as an international consumption center by supporting the silver economy, debut economy, and nighttime economy, while encouraging digital and green consumption.

Shanghai will also cultivate world-class enterprises, attract high-level domestic and international corporate headquarters, support the development and settlement of major international functional institutions, strengthen flagship international exhibitions and events, and enhance its influence in global trade and economic standards.

2. International Financial Center

Shanghai will gradually expand high-level financial opening-up and accelerate the development of a global hub for RMB asset allocation and risk management. Efforts will focus on improving financial markets, institutions, product services, and infrastructure, while enhancing the financial sector's support for the real economy.

3. International Trade Center

The city will consolidate its position as a global trade hub, attract and cultivate global supply chain management centers, strengthen bulk commodity resource allocation, and promote transformation and innovation in trade structure.

4. International Shipping Center

Shanghai will reinforce its status as a global sea and air hub.

By 2030:

• Container throughput will exceed 58 million TEUs
• Annual air passenger trips will reach 150 million
• Air cargo throughput will reach around 4.7 million metric tons

Digital, intelligent, and green transformation across the shipping industry will also be accelerated.

5. International Science and Technology Innovation Center

Shanghai will strengthen original innovation in core technologies. By 2030, basic research spending is expected to account for around 15 percent of total R&D expenditure. The city will further integrate technological innovation with industrial development and promote coordinated progress in education, science, and talent development.

Expanding development space

Shanghai will continue advancing the national strategy of integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta. Priorities include aligning technological and industrial innovation, improving regional connectivity and coordination, and advancing green and sustainable development.

Within the city, Shanghai will strengthen the leading role of central urban districts and promote coordinated development along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek. It will upgrade new towns into fully integrated subcenters and step up development of key waterfront, lakeside, and coastal areas.

The city will also advance rural vitalization and high-quality urban renewal, while moderately expanding new infrastructure such as computing power, communications, and low-altitude facilities, alongside improvements in transportation, energy, and water systems.

Improving quality of life

Shanghai aims to enhance cultural vitality and build itself into a world-renowned tourism destination and a globally recognized sports city, promoting integration across culture, tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibitions.

Shanghai will further improve convenience for inbound travelers by making better use of visa-free policies and upgrading services in customs clearance, communications, transportation, payment, ticketing, and tax refunds. By 2030, inbound tourist arrivals are expected to exceed 10 million.

Public services in employment, housing, education, healthcare, elderly care, and childcare will be further improved to ensure broader access and higher quality.

The city will strive to peak carbon emissions before 2030, expand green and ecological spaces, and further modernize governance, with a stronger focus on resilience and safety in managing a megacity.

Source: "shanghaifabu", the WeChat account of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government