Shanghai's Baoshan district saw higher-quality economic growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with 2024 GDP exceeding 210 billion yuan ($29.5 billion) and industrial output reaching 260 billion yuan, officials said on Oct 23 at a news conference held by Shanghai's government information office on Baoshan's 14th Five-Year progress.

Over the past four years, the cumulative fixed-asset investment of the district surpassed 240 billion yuan. Retail sales totaled over 360 billion yuan, growing at an average annual rate of 5.7 percent, while commercial sales exceeded 4 trillion yuan, with revenue from large-scale service industries increasing by 6.1 percent annually, according to Li Chenhao, secretary of the CPC Committee of Baoshan.

In the realm of science and technology, Baoshan's R&D intensity reached 4.69 percent, with high-tech enterprises increasing by 20.3 percent annually.

The district completed Shanghai's first concept verification service equity registration, recognized 11 concept verification centers, and established 36 municipal-level innovation incubators.

Joint university science parks with Fudan, Tongji, Peking, and Shanghai universities formed a cluster, transforming nearly 300 technological results and hosting over 1,000 enterprises.

The B·Link in Baoshan exemplifies the district's innovation in science and technology. The first phase, covering 100,000 square meters, focuses on green, low-carbon, and advanced new materials and is among Shanghai's first carbon peak pilots.

"We prioritize external resource utilization and ecosystem building," said deputy general manager Zhang Xinlei. Some firms are still in incubation, and "in-park pharmaceutical firms have developed a sustainable supply chain, supporting both park and regional growth," Zhang noted.

Baoshan's cruise economy also excelled in its specialty industries. In early 2025, the district accounted for 51 percent of national cruise dockings and 70 percent of passenger entries.

The first domestically built large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, is now in operation.

The riverside cruise tourism belt is expanding, with the city's first cruise-themed complex, Sea World, now open.

Jiang Ruiqin, director of Baoshan's riverside commission, noted that 2025 brought enhanced resort landscapes and light shows, attracting countless families eager to visit and learn about the Yangtze River's history.

"In 2026, we will introduce new outlets, five-star hotels, movie theaters and water experience activities to add more interactive entertainment options to the resort," Jiang said.