Hongkou district is located in the northeast of downtown Shanghai with an area of 23.48 square kilometers. It is a core functional zone of Shanghai’s central business district, and is one of the key development areas along the Huangpu River.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, GDP of Hongkou district topped 100 billion yuan ($14.29 billion). In 2021, the district’s GDP was about 121.48 billion yuan, and its paid-in foreign capital exceeded $1.3 billion, ranking third in Shanghai. The district added and renovated 750,000 square meters of high-end commercial buildings, with Raffles City the Bund and Ruihong Tiandi–Hall of the Sun becoming new commercial landmarks.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Hongkou will focus on the strategic goal of building Shanghai North Bund and Pujiang Golden Triangle. With North Bund as the leading force, innovation as the backing force, and opening-up as the driving force, the district is striving to build itself as a new role model of modern urban development in line with international standards.

Investment Highlights

"2+4+X" Industry System:

  Two Leading Industries

Financial services;

Shipping services.

  Four Major Industries

Commerce and trade;

Professional services;

Information services;

Cultural creativity.

  X Specialized Industries

Commercial Facilities

  South Functional Area – NorthBund Shipping and Finance Center

Key Buildings: Sinar Mas Plaza, Raffles City the Bund, Sino-US Trust Finance Building, Shuangshihui Center, Landmark Center Shanghai, Pujiang International Finance Plaza.

  Middle Functional Area – Integrated Development Area for Business, Travel, Culture and Sports

Key Buildings: Ruihong Tiandi, CapitaMall Hongkou Plaza, The Inlet, Financial Street (Hailun) Center, Shengbang International Center, Jihui Center.

  North Functional Area – Technology Innovation Belt Along the Northern Part of the Middle Ring Road

Leading Parks: Innovation Galaxy Hongkou, Shanghai Shinovation Center.

Policy Support

  Headquarters

Headquarters certified at the national or municipal level are entitled to a subsidy of up to 30 million yuan.

Headquarters certified at the district level are eligible for a reward up to 1 million yuan.

  Talent

Qualified returnees from overseas study are entitled to a rental subsidy of up to 15,000 yuan within 6 months.

  Sci-Tech Innovation

Industry-university-research collaboration programs will be granted a reward up to 100,000 yuan; high-tech business incubators up to 1 million yuan; and R&D centers up to 1 million yuan.

  Financial Services

Newly certified financial service enterprises and functional institutions will be granted one-time investment rewards,office space purchasing or renting subsidies, etc.

  Shipping Services

Newly introduced shipping service companies and functional institutions will be granted investment rewards, rental subsidies, etc.- Subsidies will also be awarded to forums and activities which aim to enhance the shipping service function of the North Bund.

  Commerce and Trade

Newly introduced commercial and trade companies and functional institutions will be granted investment rewards and rental subsidies;

Subsidies will also be awarded to excellent brands and characteristic activities that help make Shanghai an international consumption center.

Sources: Shanghai Foreign Investment Guide 2022 and 2023