Shanghai recently unveiled an action plan aimed at creating an international jewelry fashion functional zone, right in the heart of its downtown Huangpu district.

Leveraging the city's abundant resources and well-established industrial supply chain for gold and jewelry, the initiative seeks to consolidate Shanghai's position as a truly global fashion hub.

The action plan lays out a roadmap with 10 strategic measures designed to propel the development of the functional zone. These measures focus on sectors such as gold and jewelry design, customization, bonded exhibitions and trading, innovative development and professional services.

The measures are slated to remain in effect until March 31, 2030 — signaling a long-term commitment to nurturing the growth of the industry.

The following are some key points:

I. Establishing trading hub

Enhancing trading capabilities

• Support development of high-end jewelry bonded display and trading, as well as establishment of second-hand gold and jewelry circulation platform.
• Encourage various exchanges, industry associations and institutions to publish relevant price indices and industry reports.

Improving resource allocation capabilities

• Promote establishment of representative offices by internationally renowned industry associations and functional institutions.
• Encourage hosting of industry annual meetings, international forums and other events.

II. Building design center

Strengthening innovative design capabilities

• Support establishment of various design institutions.
• Encourage master craftsmen and skilled talents to establish "Master Studios" and "Craftsman Studios" and encourage independent designers to set up creative workshops.

Enhancing high-end customization capabilities

• Encourage enterprises to expand services such as jewelry processing, setting, used product recycling, repairs and modifications, as well as testing and identification.
• Support enterprises in adopting models that move production to high-rise industrial buildings and combine sales and production to enhance high-end gold and jewelry customization and processing capabilities.

III. Fostering consumption center

Building cluster of brand shops

• Encourage opening of global, national, and regional flagship stores, pop-up stores, counters and promotion centers.

Tapping market consumption potential

• Support business entities in participating in events like Shanghai Shopping Festival and Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season and in debuting products, exhibitions and shows.
• Encourage enterprises to participate in key domestic and international industry exhibitions, summits, forums and other events.

IV. Setting up innovation center

Promoting industrial integration and development

• Encourage integration of business, tourism and culture — as well as integration of different business formats and cross-industry collaborations.
• Support jewelry fashion industry enterprises in developing cultural and museum art tours and educational industrial tours.

Promoting industrial, academic and research collaboration

• Encourage gold and jewelry enterprises and institutions to collaborate with domestic and international jewelry design schools and other institutions to conduct scientific research in jewelry fashion field.
• Encourage various schools and institutions to carry out vocational education and training.

V. Developing professional services base

Enhancing testing and inspection capabilities

• Encourage testing and inspection institutions to enhance their technical capabilities and obtain authoritative international accreditation.

Improving professional services system

• Enhance capabilities of legal, consulting, financial and other professional services around jewelry fashion industry.
• Assist in introducing support service industries such as appraisals, auctions, pawn sector, as well as packaging and logistics.

Source: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government

Note: The English version of the action plan is for reference only; the official Chinese document shall prevail.