Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, answered questions from journalists during a press conference after the conclusion of the annual plenary sessions of the city's legislative and political advisory bodies on Saturday. Here are some highlights of Gong's remarks at the press conference. 

Gong Zheng (center) at the press conference. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Economic growth target

We have confidence in realizing the GDP growth target of around 5 percent set for 2024. 

Arduous efforts will be required to achieve the target. In the push for high-quality development, we will seek progress while maintaining stability, promote stability through progress and establish new economic drivers before gradually phasing out or reforming the old ones. 

Building a global economic center

In the bid to build Shanghai into a global economic center, we will accelerate the building of a modern industrial system, keep enlarging the total economic output and create new productivity boosters and new growth engines. 

The city will facilitate the integration of advanced manufacturing and modern service industry, and push for the digital and green, low-carbon transformation of the economy.

Shanghai will develop three strategic pillar industries - integrated circuits, bio-medicine and artificial intelligence and cultivate four new frontiers in digital economy, green economy, metaverse, and smart terminal. 

Technological innovation 

Shanghai will strive to achieve more "0 to 1" breakthroughs in science and technology, and increase investment in basic research. 

Drawing talent 

Regarding Shanghai's pyramid-shaped talent structure, its tower base has become thicker and the spire has become sharper over these years.

Shanghai will ramp up efforts to build world-class platforms for basic scientific research, industrial innovation, and science and technology services, so as to form a strong magnetic field for talent.  

Relevant reform measures, such as preferential services for global talent and full-cycle talent services, will be optimized and improved continuously. 

Urban renewal 

Urban renewal is the eternal theme of urban development. Shanghai aims to renovate 120,000 square meters of scattered old residential houses, and upgrade 310,000 square meters of old non-separate flats and will launch 10 "urban village" renovation projects. The city will also renovate or upgrade a host of old industrial zones, commercial areas and historical conservation areas. 

Yangtze River Delta integration

Shanghai will promote the coordination of major development programs in the Yangtze River Delta, enhance the joint efforts to break technological bottlenecks and build world-class industrial clusters in the region.

In the meantime, we will facilitate shared access to public services in the region and promote the institutional innovations successfully piloted in regional integration to other areas.