The Shanghai Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone was established in 1990 by China’s State Council. It is one of 185 state-level development zones in China and the only such zone specifically focused on finance.

Opposite from the Bund across the Huangpu River, the 31.78-square-kilometer Lujiazui area, with a population of 470,000, is part of the greater Pudong New District, commonly referred to as “Pudong.” Towering skyscrapers, many bearing the logos of prominent international and domestic financial institutions, characterize the central Lujiazui financial district, which spans an area of 1.7 square kilometers.

Finance, insurance and securities are the three leading industries of the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone. Over the past decades, its modern service industry system, with finance at the core, has embarked on a track of steady and orderly development. Lujiazui has become an important economic growth center in mainland China. It is characterized by concentrated financial investors, comprehensive markets and strong capital distribution functionality.

Based on measures laid out in the 12th Five-Year Plan, Lujiazui will work to realize Shanghai’s objective of becoming an international financial and shipping center. Particular emphasis will be placed on streamlining organizational efficiency, optimizing service levels and deepening integration of the financial and shipping sectors.

Timeline:

June, 1990: The State Council named the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone.

October, 1990: The Shanghai municipal government established the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone Development Company.

October, 2004: The Lujiazui Functional Zone was established to administer the communities of Lujiazui, Weifang, Tangqiao, Yangjing and Huamu Streets.

September, 2005: The State Council reaffirmed the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone’s 31.78-square-kilometer area.

Aprial, 2009: The former Nanhui district was incorporated into the Pudong New District.

January, 2010: The Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone’s management committee (preparation) was established.