On
the morning of yesterday (September 5), the Information Office of Shanghai
Municipality held the ninth press briefing on “High-Quality Development in
Shanghai” (Qingpu District special session) under the theme of “Developing a
Strategically Empowered District and Creating a Digital Innovation Highland.” Xu
Jian, Secretary of the CPC Qingpu District Committee, introduced the details of
Qingpu District’s efforts and work plans to promote high-quality economic and
societal development. Yang Xiaojing, Deputy Party Secretary and chief of Qingpu
District, Sun Ting, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Qingpu District
Committee and deputy chief of Qingpu District, Wei Xing, director of Qingpu District
Development and Reform Commission, Zhu Yaowu, director of Qingpu District
Commission of Economy, and Xue Feng, director of Qingpu District Regional
Development Office attended the press briefing and answered questions from
reporters.

Qingpu, situated at the eastern border of
Hongqiao and adjacent to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the west, plays a
pivotal role as Shanghai’s gateway to the global stage. With its unique
geographical advantages, pristine ecological environment, and rich cultural
heritage, Qingpu has embarked on a path driven by a clear vision. The district is
committed to aligning its actions with major strategic initiatives, with a
steadfast focus on achieving three fundamental goals: “strategic empowerment
area, digital innovation highland, and a joyful and welcoming home.” At its
core, Qingpu is devoted to continually elevating its vibrancy and core
competitiveness, while expediting the development of a hub that connects to the
modern socialist international metropolis.

1. Prioritizing strategic empowerment area and
building high-level opening-up platform

The first priority centers around leveraging the
Hongqiao hub to comprehensively enhance our opening-up. The Qingpu East Wing,
home to the CIIE, holds a central position within the Hongqiao International
Opening-up Hub, an essential gateway for global connections. The CIIE has,
impressively, secured the “first orders” from the Shanghai trading group for
five consecutive years, with cumulative purchase orders exceeding US$4.4
billion. This consistent success continuously magnifies the spill-over effect
generated by the CIIE. We are actively extending the reach of the exhibition
industry and bolstering its value chain. The Hongqiao International Convention
and Exhibition Industrial Park has attracted 269 exhibition-related
enterprises, and we've welcomed international organizations such as the United
Nations Procurement Center. This comprehensive approach enhances our capacity
to attract investments. Additionally, we are optimizing professional service
systems, including accounting, auditing, human resources, finance, and
logistics. Headquarters of renowned enterprises like CNECC, Anta, and Midea
have chosen Qingpu as their home, further enriching the innovation and
entrepreneurship ecosystem within our central business district. Looking
forward, we are unwavering in our commitment to seize opportunities, align with
policy convergence, enhance policy efficiency, and comprehensively raise our district’s
global openness and development stature.

The second aspect involves further advancing
integrated development centered around the western gateway. Qingpu’s West Wing
serves as the inaugural launch zone for the Yangtze River Delta Integration
Demonstration Zone — a vibrant locus of innovation that exerts a radiating,
propelling, and open influence across the Yangtze River Delta. We are actively
collaborating with Wujiang and Jiashan to methodically construct an integrated
cooperation mechanism that fosters profound “cross-domain synergy.” In terms of
institutional innovation, we have successfully implemented 112 innovative
measures in critical areas such as “dual-carbon” strategy, factor mobility, and
common prosperity, thereby igniting additional dynamism in our developmental
landscape. Collaboratively, the three Yangtze River Delta regions have
pioneered the “three unifications” in ecological standards, monitoring
practices, and law enforcement. We have also facilitated the mutual recognition
of high-skilled talent qualifications. An innovative “joint river and lake
chief system” has been enacted, enabling coordination among the three chiefs — comprising
the “river chief,” “police chief,” and “prosecutor general.” This innovative
approach has led to seamless cross-border water management within the region,
resulting in the advanced achievement of 2025 water quality standards for the “one
river and three lakes” in our demonstration area. In the realm of project
development, we unveiled the nation’s first cross-provincial territorial
spatial planning as well as construction guidelines for the pilot launch zones.
This effort ensures that “one masterplan governs the entire region, and one set
of standards ensures quality.” By systematically eliminating inter-provincial
transportation bottlenecks, the three Yangtze River Delta regions have
zealously promoted the establishment of “demonstration zone connected by rail.”
Several inter-provincial public transportation projects within these
demonstration areas have commenced construction, simplifying travel for the
masses. This year, our attention is honed on the pivotal domains within the “Watertown
Living Room,” where we initiate the construction of an innovation powerhouse in
the Qingpu region. Huawei’s R&D center is poised to become operational next
year, and we are strategically poised to attract a substantial cadre of
research talents. This infusion of expertise will further invigorate Qingpu’s
innovative landscape, propelling our trajectory of development and progress.

The third facet of our strategy hinges on
harnessing the potential of the status as a new city to continuously enhance
urban functionality. Qingpu New City stands as the linchpin in the “one city,
two wings” strategic framework, serving as the nexus that bridges the eastern
and western wings. Presently, we are in the fast lane towards augmenting urban
functions in line with our “1+3” key regional layout. The “1” in this equation
revolves around the development of a central business district within the core precincts
of the new city. Our vision includes the seamless integration of Metro Line 17,
the Demonstration Zone Line, and the Jiading-Qingpu-Songjiang-Jinshan Line,
culminating in a three-line interchange. The transformation will expedite the
infusion of functionalities centered on the construction of the Waiqingsong
Highway’s industry-city integration axis, the burgeoning new ecological
headquarters economic highland, and the thriving Fudan-ring innovation
ecosystem. The “3” in our approach designates three distinct functional zones:
the southern urban renewal practice area, the prospective western new city
model area, and the burgeoning northern industrial innovation park. In the
arena of urban renewal, substantial efforts have already been initiated in the
revitalization of the old neighborhoods, with future endeavors focused on the
creation of the Jiangnan Xintiandi. Within the field of industrial innovation
parks, we are actively propelling the transformation and elevation of our
industrial parks, alongside the establishment of top-tier incubators, all
centered around the twin pillars of life and health, and digital intelligent
manufacturing in these open industrial communities.

Construction has commenced on the intercity line
within the demonstration zone, strategically bridging the eastern, central, and
western regions while seamlessly connecting to Greater Hongqiao area. We are
poised to harness the full potential of this vital “development artery,”
implementing the “station-city integration” model to advance the planning and
development of each station to exacting standards. This approach will not only
catalyze the enhancement of urban functionality and growth along the line but
also bolster urban spatial integration and propel high-quality development.

2. Prioritizing
digital innovation excellence to galvanize high-quality development

Within
the realm of industrial advancement, primacy has been accorded to the
burgeoning digital economy, notably exemplified by the initiation of the Yangtze
River Delta digital trunk line last year. Currently, the digital economy’s
scale is experiencing robust growth, with digital industrialization and
industrial digitization rapidly gathering momentum across the spectrum. In the
first half of this year, Qingpu achieved a GDP growth of 14.7%, the
second-highest rate within the city, and district-level general public budget
revenue surged by 18%, ranking fourth in growth rate citywide.

Firstly,
we are sharpening our focus on cultivating innovative industries. We are
unwavering in our commitment to fostering innovation, blazing new trails, and
concentrating our efforts on the development of three pivotal sectors: “big
digital, big health, and big commerce.” To expedite the flourishing of the
digital industry ecosystem, we’ve successfully attracted industry leaders such
as Huawei, NetEase, and Midea, resulting in the rapid expansion of the digital
industry chain. During the first half of the year, software and information
companies above designated size in the district witnessed 45.3% year-on-year
revenue increase, while integrated circuit enterprises recorded 47% revenue
growth. Notably, Huawei HiSilicon led the charge with an exceptional 84.2%
year-on-year increase. In the realm of “big health,” we are nurturing
industries spanning biomedicine, fashion and beauty, health, and leisure. This
strategic focus aims to fuel rapid growth, attracting prominent enterprises and
platforms such as Qingpu Life Science Park, Shanghai Jahwa, Nivea, and Anta. In
the “big commerce” sector, Qingpu has solidified its status as the headquarters
locations for STO, YTO, ZTO, Yunda and J&T. Our concerted efforts are
propelling the logistics industry’s transformation towards digitalization,
informatization, and high-end specialization. Notably, the local express and logistics
industry’s revenue last year reached 156.8 billion yuan, accounting for 85% of
the city’s total revenue in this sector and 15% nationwide. Additionally, the
Yangtze River Delta Financial Industrial Park has welcomed 158 fund enterprises
and institutions, collectively managing funds worth 190 billion yuan.

Secondly, our
innovation parks are being further bolstered. Shanghai Data Group has
established its presence in Qingpu New City, and construction is well underway
for the national computing hub, a critical node within the Yangtze River Delta’s
layout. Additionally, the impending commencement of operations by industry
giants like Huawei and NetEase is eagerly anticipated. We are expediting the
expansion of the Shanghai West Software Information Park, and the Yangtze River
Delta Oasis Smart Valley is evolving into an exemplary thematic park.
Meanwhile, the Beidou West Hongqiao Base has emerged as a trailblazing entity
within the broader Beidou Industrial Parks, gaining recognition on a national
scale. The groundbreaking establishment of the country’s inaugural
cross-provincial high-tech development zone is poised to intensify industry
integration within the demonstration zone. This forward-looking initiative
exemplifies our commitment to “breaking administrative boundaries without
severing administrative affiliations,” marking a significant exploration in the
realm of industrial development.

Thirdly, we are
dedicated to further refining our innovation ecosystem. The “Qingfeng” talent
policy system continues to undergo meticulous optimization. Notably, we have
developed and refined eight policy documents pertaining to talent attraction,
support, rewards, and training incentives. Each year, substantial fiscal
resources exceeding 100 million yuan are allocated towards talent incentives, and
a pool of 21,000 units of talent apartments is reserved, complemented by the
ambitious goal of raising the tally of talent apartments to 50,000 units by the
conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. In terms of establishing
industry-university-research platforms, we remain steadfast in our commitment
to advancing the second phase of the Fudan Integrated Innovation Center, the
Xicen Science and Technology Innovation Center, and the Tongji Yangtze River
Delta Institute for Sustainable Development. These endeavors collectively
elevate our scientific and technological innovation capabilities. Furthermore,
we have successfully cultivated innovation and entrepreneurship incubators and
academician (expert) workstations, amassing an impressive total of 42 and 52,
respectively.

3. Prioritizing comfort and well-being to cultivate
high-quality living experience

Firstly,
we are committed to enhancing the provision of high-quality public services. We
have embarked on a new three-year action plan for social undertakings, with a
heightened focus on overall growth and equitable resource allocation,
effectively doubling our total investment. This substantial investment is
channeled towards the comprehensive enhancement of public services for education,
healthcare, culture, and sports. Qingpu now boasts an impressive array of
educational resources, with renowned institutions such as High School
Affiliated to Fudan University, Lansheng Middle School, Shanghai Pinghe School,
Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Soong Ching Ling School all
contributing to our educational excellence. As Qingpu Middle School marks its
upcoming centenary milestone, we are also witnessing the trial operation of the
Qingpu Campus of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University,
while construction commences this year for the Qingpu New City Campus of
Zhongshan Hospital. Additionally, leveraging the city’s surrounding water
system park, we are initiating the construction of several landmarks that
resonate with the cultural heritage of the Jiangnan region. These include
Qingxi Zhidao Academy and Caotong Water City Gate, which will infuse our new
city with a sense of warmth and nostalgia — a place where one can leisurely
stroll and immerse oneself in literature.

Secondly, our strategy centers on elevating the
quality of urban and rural development. Qingpu is 30% covered by urban areas
and 70% by rural areas geographically. Our steadfast commitment to integrated
urban and rural development underscores the vital importance of both urban
renewal and rural revitalization in enhancing the livelihoods of our residents.
Transforming old housing and urban villages has emerged as a pivotal
district-wide initiative, aiming to improve living conditions for a larger
populace. Notably, Panlong Tiandi stands as the city’s pioneering “urban village”
project, effectively elevating the overall environment and transforming into a
popular gathering place for internet celebrities. Looking ahead, we are
dedicated to advancing seven urban village renovation projects, including
Huaxin Fengxi and Jinze Xicen, with the aim of offering our residents a shift
from “living in a place” to “living in a truly livable space.” Harnessing the
benefits of abundant green and blue spaces, we are actively promoting projects
like the city-ring water park, the Blue Bead Chain project, and the Qingxi
Country Park to create a living environment where residents can “enjoy scenic
views from their windows and savor the greenery when they step outside.”
Furthermore, we are actively pursuing the beautification of our rural areas,
expediting the revitalization of idle rural resources, and introducing a
multitude of unique homestays to convert our rural landscapes into inviting
guest rooms and scenic destinations.

Thirdly,
our focus area centers on enhancing grassroots governance. We are diligently
constructing a “warm home” governance system while spearheading the “six major
projects” of grassroots governance. With the development of joyful communities
as our starting point, we are fostering synergy and collaboration between two
crucial platforms — namely, the online “Happiness Cloud” and the offline “community
center.” This synergy fuels our comprehensive efforts to construct a “15-minute
community living circle.” Through grid management, refined services, and
digital support, we have introduced a series of initiatives such as “Happiness
Partner,” “Happiness Neighborhood Festival,” and “Happiness Planner.” These
endeavors empower our communities to mobilize their collective strength and
pool resources more effectively.