Decision of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress on Promoting the Construction of a Youth-Development-Oriented City

(Adopted at the 30th Session of the Standing Committee of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress on May 27, 2026)

A nation prospers when its youth thrive; a nation grows strong when its youth are strong. With a view to promoting the construction of a youth-development-oriented city, optimizing the environment for youth development, and encouraging the broad masses of young people to strive, contribute, and take proactive action as Shanghai accelerates its development into a globally influential socialist modern international metropolis, the following Decision is hereby formulated in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations, and in the light of the actual circumstances of this Municipality:

I. Efforts to build a youth-development-oriented city shall be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We shall act on the concept of a "city for the people", respect, care for, and serve young people, establish a well-structured, scientifically sound, standardized and efficient policy framework and working mechanism for youth development, foster an environment conducive to the growth and development of young people, support young people in striving to be pioneers and the mainstays in all fields and aspects of work, and promote a Shanghai that is more youth-friendly and where young people can achieve greater success.

II. The construction of a youth-development-oriented city shall adhere to the principle of the Party's leadership over youth work and improve the working framework characterized by Party committee leadership, government responsibility, social collaboration, and youth participation.

The municipal and district people's governments shall incorporate the construction of a youth-development-oriented city into their respective national economic and social development plans and annual plans, include relevant working funds in their respective fiscal budgets, and incorporate relevant key tasks into practical projects. Town/township people's governments and sub-district offices shall, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, carry out relevant work related to the construction of a youth-development-oriented city within their jurisdictions.

We shall improve the joint conference system for youth work to strengthen the overall coordination of building a youth-development-oriented city. The Communist Youth League, in conjunction with relevant departments, shall coordinate and advance specific tasks related to building a youth-development-oriented city.

Member units of the Youth Work Joint Conference—including those responsible for talent, development and reform, economic and information technology, education, science and technology, public security, civil affairs, finance, judicial administration, human resources and social security, planning and resources, housing and urban-rural development management, agriculture and rural affairs, culture and tourism, health, foreign affairs, sports, statistics, trade unions, and the All-China Women's Federation—as well as other relevant units, shall carry out work related to the construction of youth-development-oriented city in accordance with their respective responsibilities.

We shall support Pudong New Area in taking the lead in conducing innovative exploration regarding the construction of a youth-development-oriented city. We shall actively promote the coordinated development of youth work in the Yangtze River Delta region, strengthen information sharing, policy coordination, institutional alignment, and service integration, and foster cross-regional exchange and cooperation in youth work.

III. Efforts shall be made to strengthen ideological and political guidance and values education for youth, and adhere to equipping, educating, and guiding young people with the Party's innovative theories; strengthen education on ideals and convictions, cultivate and practice the core socialist values, and guide youth to aspire to excellence and goodness, striving to become exemplary youth of the new era who are idealistic, responsible, resilient, and hardworking.

We shall carry forward and promote revolutionary culture and the fine traditional Chinese culture, guiding young people to deeply instill the city's spirit of embracing diversity, pursuing excellence, being open-minded and wise, and maintaining a magnanimous yet humble demeanor. We shall highlight the city's character of openness, innovation, and inclusiveness, and foster the ideological concepts, civilized social norms, and behavioral standards befitting an international metropolis of socialist modernization.

We shall strengthen cultural cultivation in cyberspace, support and guide young people in spreading positive and healthy culture online, and create a clean and wholesome online environment for them.

IV. Efforts shall be made to actively provide broad development platforms for the youth; deepen the implementation of the "Youth Contributing to Their Posts" initiative; step up to identify, promote, and publicize exemplary young role models; and stimulate the intrinsic motivation of young people to strive tirelessly.

We shall encourage young people in all sectors to dedicate themselves to the cause of Chinese-style modernization from their respective posts, boldly serve as vanguards and shock troops, and step up to shoulder responsibilities and make outstanding contributions in economic development, scientific and technological innovation, cultural development, grassroots governance, rural revitalization, and green development.

V. Efforts shall be made to actively foster an employment environment that encourages young people to showcase their talents, guide them in establishing correct views on employment and career choices, build a policy support system covering the entire process of youth employment, and promote high-quality and full employment among young people.

The municipal and district people's governments and relevant departments shall strengthen coordination between industry and employment, implement initiatives to stabilize, expand, and improve job quality, fully tap the potential of the manufacturing and service sectors to absorb youth employment, and integrate emerging industries and new technology applications with high-quality and full employment to create more career opportunities that enable young people to realize their value.

The departments of human resources and social security, education, and the Communist Youth League and other relevant units shall strengthen the promotion and interpretation of policies. Relying on public training bases, community employment service stations, and youth inns, they shall provide convenient and accessible comprehensive public employment services, including career planning, employment guidance, vocational training, legal consultation, job referrals, and short-term accommodation. Support and services for young people engaged in new forms of employment shall be strengthened. Targeted assistance shall be provided to college graduates who have not secured employment after graduation, unemployed youth, and youth facing employment difficulties.

VI. Efforts shall be made to vigorously support youth innovation and entrepreneurship, optimize the ecosystem, reduce overall costs, advocate a culture that values innovation and tolerates failure, and foster a social atmosphere that encourages young people to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The municipal and district people's governments and relevant departments shall improve the support system for youth entrepreneurship. We shall implement supportive policies such as venue support, streamlined start-up procedures, and financing guarantees. Relying on public employment service agencies, as well as entrepreneurial incubation platforms such as parks and office buildings, we shall provide convenient policy consultation and entrepreneurial guidance services to young entrepreneurs, leverage the role of policy-based venture capital funds to encourage more social capital to support youth entrepreneurial projects in cutting-edge technology and industrial sectors, strengthen entrepreneurship education for young people, improve the practical training system, and support their active participation in various national and municipal innovation and entrepreneurship competitions and activities to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities. It is necessary to help young people manage entrepreneurial risks, improve guidance and assistance mechanisms for restarting businesses, and enable more young people to have the courage, skills, and success to start their own businesses.

We shall support young people in playing a leading role in basic research, the execution of major science and technology projects, efforts to tackle key core technologies, and the construction of major science and technology infrastructure platforms. We shall encourage young people to actively participate in the "AI+" initiative and play a leading role in technological breakthroughs, practical applications, and entrepreneurial practices; pilot the creation of innovation and entrepreneurship clusters, and better leverage their demonstrative effects by focusing on key industries and future industries.

We shall support the healthy development of the "youth economy", explore new business formats, models, and scenarios, and build "youth economy" brands that are original and have market influence. We shall accelerate the construction of "youth economy" clusters and cultivate distinctive commercial districts, shopping streets, and malls within the "youth economy", thereby promoting the integrated development of culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions.

VII. Efforts shall be made to improve mechanisms for identifying, selecting, cultivating, and utilizing young talent. We shall coordinate efforts to build teams of young talent in basic research, disruptive innovation, high-skilled professions, entrepreneurship, and international legal affairs, support young talent in shouldering main responsibilities and playing leading roles, optimize the distribution of young talent to align with urban development, and expand the pool of young talent across all industries and fields.

We shall accelerate the expansion of the pool of urgently needed young talent for the construction of Shanghai's "Five Centers". It is necessary to establish support and succession training mechanisms conducive to the growth of young scientific and technological talent, and encourage innovation entities such as enterprises, universities, and research institutes to strengthen the cultivation of young scientific and technological talent; vigorously attract and cultivate young financial talent in areas such as international financial governance, strategic risk management, and senior management; accelerate the gathering of young shipping talent in high-end and multidisciplinary shipping sectors; accelerate the development of young talent in key foreign-related fields such as international trade and regional and country-specific studies; improve the mechanism for cultivating young cultural talent and increase support for them.

We shall improve the system for cultivating young skilled professionals by combining government initiatives with social support. It is necessary to strengthen vocational education and skills training, deepen the integration of industry and education as well as school-enterprise cooperation, ensure that vocational education types, institutional layout, and program offerings are precisely aligned with industrial needs; facilitate career advancement pathways for skilled professionals, and build a strong contingent of young outstanding engineers and highly skilled professionals.

VIII. Efforts shall be made to implement more open talent recruitment policies, improve talent attraction mechanisms, and foster a favorable ecosystem for talent development to attract more young people from home and abroad to choose Shanghai and take root in Shanghai.

The department responsible for talent affairs and other relevant departments shall increase support for talent recruitment in key fields and regions through measures such as dynamically updating the list of urgently-needed and scarce talent and optimizing the management of key recommended agencies for talent recruitment.

The departments of talent affairs, development and reform, education, and public security shall improve household registration policies for fresh university graduates, returnees from overseas study, and domestic talent; increase policy support for young people employed in Shanghai to obtain household registration; and optimize an efficient and convenient household registration service system.

The departments of talent affairs, education, science and technology, and economy and information technology shall intensify efforts to attract outstanding young talent from overseas. The departments of public security, foreign affairs, and talent affairs shall optimize the policy framework for serving young talent from overseas, strengthen the development of service platforms such as direct connection platforms for overseas talent, and enhance the convenience of entry and exit procedures for young talent from overseas.

IX. Efforts shall be made to support young people's orderly participation in urban governance, put into practice the important concept of whole-process people's democracy, and improve mechanisms for youth social participation. When formulating local regulations, government rules, and public policies, the opinions and suggestions of young people shall be widely solicited to safeguard their rights to participate in public affairs.

Young people shall be encouraged to participate in grassroots mass self-governance in both urban and rural areas. Channels for participation, including public suggestions solicitation and grassroots democracy consultation, shall be broadened to leverage the active role of young people in community governance and services, thereby helping to build a community of urban governance in which everyone participates, takes responsibility, contributes, and shares the benefits.

We shall deepen youth volunteer service efforts, promote the volunteer spirit of dedication, friendship, mutual aid, and progress, intensify efforts to nurture youth volunteer organizations, improve mechanisms for recruiting, training, supporting, and incentivizing youth volunteers, and enhance the professionalism of youth volunteer services.

X. Efforts shall be made to establish and improve an open, diverse, and interconnected international youth exchange mechanism to create conditions and opportunities for youth to participate in international exchanges.

The departments of foreign affairs, talent affairs, economy and information technology, education, science and technology, the Communist Youth League and the relevant units shall continue to carry out various flagship international youth exchange programs; support young people in participating in overseas volunteer services, foreign aid, internships and positions at international organizations, and activities within international multilateral mechanisms; encourage young people to pursue advanced studies at internationally renowned universities, research institutions, and enterprises; support young people in engaging in international communication; and promote their participation in global governance.

We shall actively foster an internationally friendly service environment, enhance the convenience of life in Shanghai for overseas young people, and encourage and attract them to travel, study, and start businesses in Shanghai.

XI. The municipal and district people's governments and the relevant departments shall incorporate youth development into urban territorial spatial planning to create more youth-friendly spaces; in conjunction with urban renewal, new city construction, the development of complete communities, and the establishment of "15-minute community living circles", they shall explore providing planning support for new projects featuring youth-friendly public service functions. They shall coordinate the development of youth-development-oriented neighborhoods, parks, communities, and buildings, and expand the service functions of youth centers.

The municipal and district people's governments and the relevant departments shall optimize and improve supporting facilities, enhance the coverage of libraries, museums, art galleries, theaters, cultural centers, and science museums, expand the supply of high-quality cultural products, and create cultural landmarks for young people; they shall improve the quality and convenience of public services, promote service models suited to young people including staggered hours and extended operating hours in areas like government services and healthcare, and increase the scope of urban services benefiting young people.

XII. Efforts shall be made to optimize housing security policies for young people and improve multi-tiered housing services covering the job-search transition period, early career stage, and stable development stage. We shall provide rental subsidies to eligible individuals, increase the housing fund support for young people renting or purchasing homes, and reduce the cost of housing for young people.

We shall continue to improve the system of residential and dorm-style government-subsidized rental housing. We shall promote the integration of industry and urban development and achieve a balance between work and residence, increase the supply of government-subsidized rental housing in areas with high concentrations of young workers and near transit stations, while optimizing unit layouts, functionality, and supporting services. We shall encourage the conversion of eligible non-residential existing properties—such as commercial offices, hotels, factories, and warehouses—into government-subsidized rental housing in accordance with provisions, thereby expanding the range of low-cost living options for young people through multiple channels.

XIII. Efforts shall be made to strengthen support for young people in matters of marriage, dating, childbearing, and child-rearing; advocate positive attitudes toward marriage, dating, childbearing, and family; and further build a fertility-friendly society.

The departments of health, education, civil affairs, the Communist Youth League, the Women's Federation, and labor unions and the relevant units shall strengthen marriage and dating services for young people, regularly organize public-interest social and matchmaking events, and provide professional services such as marriage and family counseling.

The departments of health, development and reform, education, human resources and social security, medical security, civil affairs, the Communist Youth League, and the Women's Federation and the relevant units shall improve the policy framework and incentive measures for childbirth support, implement child-rearing subsidy policies, increase maternity insurance benefits, and encourage employers to establish childbirth-friendly positions; expand the supply of inclusive childcare services, deepen the integration of childcare and early childhood education, and improve the service mechanism for summer and winter vacation care programs for primary school students; and support enterprises, public institutions, and industrial parks in providing welfare-based childcare services. We shall implement systems such as care leave, paid annual leave, and cross-provincial mutual aid for individual accounts under the basic medical insurance for employees, while improving elderly care support policies to assist young people in providing family care.

XIV. Efforts shall be made to serve the diverse and sustainable development needs of young people and promote their physical and mental well-being.

We shall strengthen the cultivation of qualities such as learning ability, digital and technological literacy, innovative spirit, aesthetic literacy, and international perspective, and integrate these into the entire process of national education. We shall build a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong learning environment, encourage the development of night schools for young people, and support them in updating their knowledge and upgrading their skills.

The departments of health, education, sports, and the Communist Youth League and the relevant units shall guide young people in adopting a health management mindset, optimize the distribution of public sports facilities, expand the supply of high-quality sports products, services, and events, widely organize sports activities that young people enjoy, and improve their physical fitness and health. A comprehensive mental health support system for young people, including mental health education, monitoring and early warning, counseling services, and intervention and treatment, shall be established. The construction of facilities for youth mental health support shall be optimized, the mental health service network shall be improved, the role of the 12356 mental health hotline shall be leveraged, and the provision of mental health services shall be enhanced.

XV. The departments of education, civil affairs, human resources and social security, the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Communist Youth League, the Women's Federation, and labor unions and the relevant units shall improve support mechanisms for vulnerable youth groups, including those in difficult circumstances and those with disabilities; increase assistance efforts; optimize support policies; and expand the scope of care and support services.

The departments of the People's Courts, the People's Procuratorates, public security, judicial administration, education, civil affairs, human resources and social security, and the Communist Youth League and relevant units shall, in accordance with the law, combat acts that infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of young people; they shall also enhance rehabilitation and guidance services for young people who have been released from prison or have completed correctional programs, helping them adapt to and reintegrate into society.

XVI. The municipal and district people's governments and the relevant departments shall strengthen publicity efforts regarding the construction of a youth-development-oriented city and broadly foster a social consensus on jointly supporting youth development.

Radio, television, newspapers, websites, and new media shall publicize youth development policies through various formats, tell compelling stories about young people, and foster a city image and atmosphere that embody a contemporary spirit, youthful vitality, and approachability—one that attracts both locals and visitors—thereby enhancing Shanghai's appeal to young people and their sense of belonging in this Municipality.

XVII. The Communist Youth League, the departments of statistics and other relevant units shall jointly carry out statistical monitoring of youth development, refine the statistical monitoring indicator system, incorporate data on the youth population, education, employment, and social security into the scope of statistics, and strengthen the application of such data.

Efforts to integrate youth development policies shall be intensified. A dedicated youth section shall be established on "SuiShenBan"-- this Municipality's integrated government service platform, and guided by the principle of "get things done efficiently in one go", and comprehensive government services for youth shall be continuously optimized. The construction of the 12355 Youth Service Platform shall be strengthened, response mechanisms improved, and service quality enhanced.

We shall leverage the role of various foundations, such as the Youth Development Foundation, to mobilize social forces in support of youth development, encourage universities, research institutions, and social organizations to strengthen research on youth development and the development of think tanks.

XVIII. The Standing Committees of the Municipal and District People's Congresses shall strengthen oversight and promotion of efforts to build a youth-development-oriented city through measures such as organizing law enforcement inspections, hearing and reviewing special work reports, and conducting thematic research.

This Decision shall be effective as of June 1, 2026.