Changning district covers an area of 37.18 square kilometers and enjoys strong transport links through Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and the Hongqiao Integrated Transportation Hub.

As one of Shanghai's earliest mature business and commercial districts, it has developed into a major hub for international business and trade and remains one of the city's most international urban districts.

Changning is home to 30 foreign consular missions, nearly 6,500 foreign-invested enterprises, almost 700 permanent representative offices of foreign companies, and 93 regional headquarters of multinational corporations. Registered residents from outside the Chinese mainland in Changning account for around one-fifth of Shanghai's total registered residents from outside the mainland. In total, Changning hosts 154 headquarters-type organizations, including 93 regional headquarters of multinational corporations.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Changning recorded an average annual GDP growth rate of 7 percent, the highest among Shanghai's districts. Over the same period, district-level general public budget revenue grew by an average of 8.8 percent annually, ranking second among the city's central districts.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), Changning will build on four core strengths: Hongqiao roots, international profile, digital economy, and premium urban environment. The district will pursue four key development strategies: strengthening the Hongqiao brand, accelerating Digital Changning, enhancing urban renewal, and attracting high-caliber talent. It aims to strengthen its role as Greater Hongqiao's eastern engine and Shanghai's western gateway, while making steady progress toward becoming an international district with global influence.

Investment Highlights

Traditional Strengths: Modern trade, information services, and professional services

Key Industries with Distinctive Strengths: Airport economy, intelligent connectivity, fashion and creativity, and the low-altitude economy

Emerging Industries: Artificial intelligence, sci-tech finance, industrial internet, investment and M&A, life sciences and healthcare, and new economy sectors

Business Support Facilities

Hongqiao-Gubei Area

Key Buildings: SOHO Gubei, Dawning Center, Gubei Fortune, Jingyao Hongqiao, and the Hongqiao United Centre

Zhongshan Park Commercial Zone

Key Buildings: Zhaofeng Plaza, Raffles City Changning, SOHO Tianshan Plaza, IM Shanghai Changning International, and the A.F.A Shanghai Rongqiao Center

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Economic Demonstration Zone

Functional Positioning: An international air transport hub, a headquarters base for global airlines, a high-end service industry cluster, a national business jet base, and a low-carbon development area.

Covering 13.89 square kilometers, it is one of China's 14 national airport economic demonstration zones and ranks among the most advanced of them in terms of industrial focus. The district is home to 60 percent of Shanghai-based airline headquarters and more than 800 key aviation enterprises.

Shanghai Multimedia Park

Industrial Focus: Digital cultural and creative industries covering multimedia display and exhibition, animation, film and TV production, and digital entertainment.

Policy Support

Driving the headquarters economy

In addition to Shanghai's municipal incentives for regional headquarters of multinational corporations, Changning offers a range of district-level support measures. Newly introduced or upgraded MNC regional headquarters and headquarters-type organizations are eligible for a one-time subsidy of 2 million yuan (about $294,700). Companies leasing or purchasing office premises for their own use in the district may receive rental subsidies of up to 4.5 million yuan or purchase subsidies of up to 10 million yuan. Companies with paid-in foreign investment of 30 million yuan or more are eligible for a one-time reward of 1 million yuan.

By the end of 2025, Changning was home to 154 headquarters-type organizations, including 93 MNC regional headquarters.

Improving market access

Changning makes it easier for businesses to invest and grow through streamlined registration and licensing procedures, integrated digital government services, and more efficient administrative processes. The district also promotes fair competition by strengthening intellectual property protection, improving credit restoration services, and adopting smarter, risk-based regulation that minimizes unnecessary inspections. Enhanced support for foreign-invested enterprises – including standards development, overseas certification, and intellectual property services – helps companies expand with confidence.

Supporting key enterprises

Newly recognized or relocated high-tech enterprises are eligible for a one-time subsidy of 200,000 yuan.

Aviation service companies that introduce national or regional aviation resource trading platforms may receive one-time grants of up to 1 million yuan and 500,000 yuan, respectively.

Newly introduced key enterprises in financial services and fintech may receive subsidies of up to 30 million yuan.

Tailored policy packages are also available for companies in strategic sectors, including the low-altitude economy, life sciences, and the industrial internet.

Attracting global talent

Qualified senior executives may receive housing subsidies of up to 500,000 yuan, while eligible professionals may receive rental subsidies of 1,600 yuan per month for up to 24 months.

The Shanghai Hongqiao One-Stop Service Center for Overseas Talents provides 69 integrated government and daily-life services. It also offers comprehensive information on talent policies, daily life, and local events in nine languages through Changning's official page (https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-HongqiaoTalentServiceCenter/index.html) on Shanghai International Services.

Supporting innovation

Enterprises undertaking technology absorption and innovation projects are eligible for subsidies of 500,000 yuan.

Sources: Shanghai Foreign Investment Guide, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Changning District 2025 National Economic and Social Development Report, Changning District 15th Five-Year Plan Outline, Changning District Investment Guide 2026, 2026 Measures of the Changning District Administration for Market Regulation to Improve the Business Environment

Updated in July, 2026