Yangpu, one of Shanghai's central urban districts, is setting the pace in urban development and innovation, achieving significant progress in economic growth, urban transformation, and living standards since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), according to a municipal press conference on Sept 25.

Last year, the district's information services revenue surpassed 320 billion yuan ($44.9 billion), accounting for one-fifth of the city's total.

From 2020 to 2024, tax revenue at the district level from Yangpu's top 100 enterprises more than doubled, climbing from 3.01 billion yuan to 6.29 billion yuan. Their contribution to total district tax revenue also rose from 27.8 percent to 45 percent.

At the same time, the entry threshold for inclusion among these top firms rose by 160 percent, from 5.6 million yuan to 14.54 million yuan.

Enhancing livability and public services

Over the past five years, Yangpu has placed community well-being at the heart of development. The district has renovated 421,000 square meters of old housing and improved the living conditions for over 20,000 households.

The district has integrated concepts of heritage preservation, all-ages-friendly planning, and resilience to create inviting neighborhoods and vibrant 15-minute living circles.

Since 2021, Yangpu's financial investment in public welfare has increased 50.2 percent, with its share of general public budget expenditure rising from 43.5 percent to 52.3 percent.

Education and healthcare have seen significant improvements, including the construction of 14 new schools and the creation of 7,070 new enrollment opportunities for children. A high-level medical mechanism has been established, and comprehensive care systems for the young and the elderly have been expanded.

Driving innovation and economic growth

Yangpu is also a hub of innovation, supporting fundamental research and promoting the commercialization of sci-tech achievements.

Partnerships with universities and research institutions have led to numerous high-level scientific achievements, including 18 national sci-tech awards and more than 40 percent of municipal-level awards since 2021.

The district is building a modern industrial system centered around the digital economy. This system focuses on two key areas: "artificial intelligence+" and "internet+".

It aims to develop three industrial clusters in the online new economy, intelligent manufacturing, and creative design, each of which is expected to generate an annual output of at least 100 billion yuan.

In addition, it supports four emerging industries: sci-tech services, artificial intelligence, life and health, and green, low-carbon industries.

The district has clustered major technology firms and startups, becoming a magnet for talent, capital, and technology, with strategic initiatives to attract top-tier professionals and support sci-tech exchanges.

The number of Yangpu-based academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and high-level talent introduced from overseas ranks among the top in the city.

Yangpu is driving the development of the Shanghai Technology Exchange and the National Eastern Tech-Transfer Center. The Shanghai Technology Exchange has listed over 14,000 sci-tech achievements, and realized transactions worth more than 76 billion yuan in its five-year history.

Efforts to improve the business environment have included 734 reform measures aimed at streamlining administrative processes and enhancing regulatory efficiency.

The district has also developed dynamic sci-tech innovation communities and spaces like the V Hub, which has attracted leading internet content creators and multi-channel network operators.

Source: Official WeChat account of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government at "shanghaifabu"