ISSUING AUTHORITY:

Shanghai Municipal People’s Government

DATE OF ISSUANCE:

July 24, 2026

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 24, 2026

Shanghai has released its 15th Five-Year Plan for accelerating the development of an international trade center, and setting targets through 2030. The plan aims to strengthen Shanghai’s position as a global trade hub, with cumulative goods trade imports and exports exceeding USD 3 trillion during the period, services trade surpassing USD 300 billion, and offshore trade reaching over USD 500 billion. The city also targets 300 new multinational regional headquarters and 200 new foreign R&D centers by 2030.

Supply chain and commodity trading. Shanghai will attract global supply chain management centers, supporting foreign enterprises in integrating supply chain functions and establishing dedicated centers in the city. The plan promotes commodity trading expansion in copper, aluminum, lithium, cobalt, and nickel, and supports the Lingang New Area in building a hydrogen-based green energy trading platform.

Digital trade and data flows. The plan calls for citywide adoption of the “negative list plus operational guidelines” model for outbound data transfers, facilitating cross-border personal information flows within multinational corporations. It also supports the Lingang International Data Economy Industrial Park and the Shanghai Data Exchange’s international section.

Green trade and foreign investment. Shanghai will support foreign enterprises in local R&D, technology upgrading, and green low-carbon transition, and encourage reinvestment and equity participation. The plan strengthens green trade by supporting green design, green product certification, and third-party green low-carbon service platforms.

Consumption and market access. The plan targets 900 new high-level first stores and RMB 20 billion in departure tax refund sales, while deepening opening-up pilots in the telecommunications, digital, financial, healthcare, and transportation sectors.

For foreign investors, the plan signals expanded opportunities in supply chain management, digital trade, green trade, and headquarters functions, backed by concrete targets and policy support.

Reference:

上海市人民政府关于印发《上海市加快国际贸易中心建设“十五五”规划》的通知