On the morning of yesterday (October 11), the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality held the first press briefing under the theme of “Promoting High-Quality Development.” Liu Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, introduced the details of the “Several Measures on Supporting the Construction of the New Platform for the International Trade Center in the Hongqiao International Central Business District.” Zhang Jie, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Zhang Bin, deputy director of the Hongqiao International Central Business District Administration, Chen Yanfeng, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Xu Jin, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, and Ye Jian, deputy director of Shanghai Customs, attended the press briefing and answered questions from reporters.Building the Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD) into a new platform for Shanghai’s international trade center is a key task outlined in both the “Overall Plan for the Construction of the Hongqiao International Hub for Opening-up” and “Outline for Enhancing Shanghai’s International Trade Center Capacity during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period.” In recent years, the CBD has focused on developing an import-export distribution center that connects the Yangtze River Delta, serves the entire nation, and extends its influence across the Asia-Pacific. This effort has been supported by deepening the development of the Hongqiao Import Trade Promotion and Innovation Demonstration Zone and accelerating the creation of a leading area for the Silk Road E-commerce cooperation pilot zone. These initiatives have yielded positive results in establishing a new platform for Shanghai’s international trade center.First, the influence of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) continues to grow, with significant progress in goods trade. Over the past three years, the import-export value of the CBD has surged from 24.13 billion yuan to 75.93 billion yuan. Cross-border e-commerce has also shown remarkable performance, with the Hongqiao CBD Bonded Logistics Center (Type B) ranking first in the city for both orders and sales in cross-border e-commerce imports. The open platform system has been continually optimized, with CIIE’s innovative policies now institutionalized into permanent legal frameworks, transforming “exhibits” into “commodities.” Additionally, the “6 days plus 365 days” year-round exhibition and sales platform is accelerating its digital transformation.Second, the trade functions have been significantly enriched. High-level trade entities are rapidly clustering, with 211 municipal-level headquarters companies and over 2,000 companies engaged in international trade now based in the district. The global digital trade port is leading the trend, attracting more than 7,000 digital companies. Furthermore, the China Beidou Industrial Technology Innovation West Hongqiao Base has been recognized as one of the first national characteristic service export bases. The Silk Road E-Commerce cooperation pilot zone is beginning to show its influence, with 22 national pavilions established and the first Silk Road E-Commerce electronic port digital technology application center in the Yangtze River Delta now launched.Third, the integration between international and domestic markets has been steadily enhanced. With the support of the Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center, we have accelerated the establishment of a one-stop service platform to facilitate the international expansion of enterprises. The Hongqiao International Central Legal Services District has introduced 100 legal service agencies, while the Hongqiao Overseas Trade Center has attracted 39 international organizations, connecting with 150 countries and regions worldwide. Additionally, the Hongqiao International Business Talent Port has brought in 248 human resources companies, creating a robust matrix of international business services.To further support the development of the international trade center platform in the Hongqiao CBD, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and the Hongqiao Business District Management Administration, with approval from the Shanghai Municipal Government, recently issued the “Several Measures on Supporting the Construction of the New Platform for the International Trade Center in the Hongqiao International Central Business District.” These measures are centered on key goals, such as maximizing traffic value, attracting and consolidating more international trade institutions, and actively promoting new international trade models. They align with the broader objective of enhancing Shanghai’s International Trade Center by accelerating the development of new trade formats, cultivating leading traders, and strengthening professional service support. Leveraging the CBD’s inherent advantages, the measures focus on key growth areas, including the high-level headquarters economy, high-volume trade economy, and high-end service economy, with the aim of boosting the CBD’s global resource allocation capabilities. Furthermore, the measures emphasize the coordinated approach of both “bringing in” and “going out,” encouraging businesses in the district to enhance their professional capabilities in both domestic and international markets, and strengthening the Hongqiao International Hub for Opening-up’s influence at home and abroad.The Several Measures focuses on five key areas, outlining 33 specific actions:First, we aim to better capitalize on the spillover effects of major exhibitions like the CIIE. To transform “exhibits” into “commodities,” we propose a total of five measures such as enhancing the functions of the “6 days plus 365 days” year-round exhibition and sales platform; establishing collaborative mechanisms for special food registration and filing as well as guidance over China Compulsory Certification (CCC); and supporting the creation of a new product launch platform for the CIIE. Second, we will intensify efforts to promote new forms of international trade. Focusing on emerging sectors such as cross-border e-commerce, digital trade, and service trade, the 10 measures include: strengthening cross-border e-commerce service capabilities at Hongqiao Airport Port; upgrading the global digital trade port and encouraging leading digital enterprises in the CBD to form a digital trade industry alliance; establishing a Silk Road E-commerce digital technology application center; fostering international cooperation on electronic bills of lading and electronic payments; and improving services at the New Hongqiao International Medical Center to accelerate the development of new sectors like international healthcare and medical tourism.Third, we will accelerate the concentration of high-level trade entities and platforms. To create a hub for international headquarters, the seven measures propose establishing foreign investment consulting service points to offer policy guidance and support for enterprises seeking to “go global;” attracting more international economic organizations, such as industry associations and trade promotion agencies; enhancing international exchanges and economic cooperation; supporting the CBD in creating a linkage innovation zone with the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Pilot Zone.Fourth, we will step up efforts to raise the level of professional services. To enhance the international service capabilities of professional agencies, the six measures propose encouraging local professional service firms to build global service networks; supporting the establishment of various legal services agencies in the legal services district and the creation of an intellectual property service base to offer comprehensive services, including IP transactions, operational management, and rights protection; advocating for the introduction of third-party conformity assessment agencies to provide one-stop services, covering quality standards, inspection and testing, certification, and accreditation.Fifth, we will strengthen talent support for building the new platform of the International Trade Center. Focusing on talent acquisition, five measures are proposed: increasing the involvement of key talent introduction institutions; providing more streamlined visa and residency services for foreign professionals in the CBD; and facilitating the participation of foreign personnel in major exhibitions, conferences, and events. Additionally, the entry-exit and border inspection departments will offer port visa services and expedite customs clearance to enhance convenience for foreign talent.As the key western hub in Shanghai’s new urban development strategy of “East-West Linkage, Two Wings Advancing Together,” the Hongqiao CBD plays a critical role in connecting to the world and serving the Yangtze River Delta. The release of the “Several Measures” is both a concrete step in implementing national strategy and a significant initiative to promote the CBD’s two-way opening-up, deepen the integration of domestic and international markets, and boost Shanghai’s global trade influence and competitiveness. Looking ahead, Shanghai will fully implement the spirits of the important speeches from General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection tour to the city and the symposium on advancing the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. Efforts will be accelerated to implement the “Several Measures,” drive the quality enhancement of the Hongqiao International CBD as a new platform for the international trade center, and contribute “Hongqiao Power” to the development of Shanghai as a global trade hub.