Shanghai, a benchmark international business hub in China, has ranked first among global cities in port trade for several consecutive years. The city has also experienced rapid growth in emerging trade formats such as cross-border e-commerce and offshore trade, as well as in new frontiers including trade in services and digital trade.

Achievements in 2025

​Industry Support

Structural Transformation Opportunities

• International trade in high-value-added products will expand, with an increasing share driven by countries along the Belt & Road and other emerging markets;
• New business models such as offshore trade, bonded repair, and pilot imports of remanufactured products will continue to grow.

Model Innovation Opportunities

• With the expansion of digital, cultural, and technology-driven trade, new digital service models continue to emerge, and international data economy industry parks will foster more business formats;
• The development of smart ports and the initiative of establishing the city as an international trade document exchange hub will further enhance digital efficiency.

International Consumption Opportunities

• Service consumption will further expand, including upgraded services in culture, tourism, sports, and healthcare;
• Goods consumption will keep growing, led by green consumption, smart consumption, and the debut economy;
• New business models such as "AI + consumption" and "IP + consumption" will continue to evolve and diversify.

Highlight Elements

Industry Associations: Shanghai Association of International Services Trade (SAIST), Shanghai Service Consumption Promotion Council, Shanghai Cross-border E-commerce Association (SCEA), etc.

Conventions & Exhibitions: China International Import Expo (CIIE), Shanghai Cross-border Expo, East China Fair, etc.

Industry Platforms: 365 Trade Fair, Shanghai Public Service Platform for Trade Adjustment Assistance, etc.

Industry Policies

Measures of Shanghai Municipality for Promoting Coordinated Development Between Service Sector Upgrading and Demand Expansion

Measures for Further Expanding Service Consumption in Shanghai

• Developing distinctive tourism products, including Shanghai celebrity-themed merchandise, and Shanghai-style arts and cuisine, while promoting innovative experiences in ancient towns such as intangible cultural heritage, immersive theater, and nighttime leisure tours;
• Supporting the development of integrated scenarios such as "Technology + Tourism" and "Technology + Cultural Heritage".

Exemplary Case

In 2025, Shanghai was approved as one of the first national pilot cities for retail innovation and upgrading, enabling selected enterprises to implement business initiatives such as scenario-based transformation, digital empowerment, and supply chain enhancement. Several trade and commerce enterprises in Shanghai, including Lianhua Supermarket, Freshippo, Sam's Club, and Metro, were among the first batch of approved pilot enterprises, covering key areas such as chain retail development, upgrading of major commercial districts, and convenient community services.

Industry Map

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai will prioritize the development of the fashion consumer goods sector in Huangpu, Jing'an, Putuo, Yangpu and Fengxian, to build the city into a capital of fashion empowered by technology and characterized with distinct brands, which always leads the trend.

Regional Layout of Shanghai International Consumption Clusters and International Consumption Platforms

International Consumption Clusters

• Eastern International Consumption Cluster: Taken the "Golden Triangle" located at the confluence of the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek as the core function zone, and supported by municipal commercial zones including East Nanjing Road, West Nanjing Road, Small Lujiazui, Middle Huaihai Road, Yuyuan Tourist Mart, North Bund, and Xujiahui, Shanghai is building an international leading consumption hub by tapping into the consumer culture atmosphere of the city as a business innovation center and integrating all kinds of high-capacity consumption spaces in the fields of culture, tourism, sports, entertainment, financial, healthcare and elderly care surrounding the aforementioned commercial zones.
• Western International Consumption Cluster: Facilitated by Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub and Hongqiao Sub-center, and strengthened by three regional functions of transportation, commerce, and convention and exhibition, Shanghai is committed to the spillover effects of the China International Import Expo, promoting the development of transaction service platforms, and building itself into an important commercial and trade distribution center serving the country, the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.

International Distinctive Consumption Platforms

Wusong International Cruise Terminal, Watertown Area – Demonstration Zone for Integrated Ecological and Green Development of the YRD Region, Disney Resort, Consumption Platforms in Lin-gang Special Area

Source: 2026 Shanghai Foreign Investment Guide