Pilot section of Shanghai Eastern Hub passes crucial operational review

The Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone has seen its pilot launch area pass a crucial operational readiness review on Friday, paving the way for its official launch.

A certificate of acceptance has been granted to its pilot launch area by 10 ministries and administrative bodies led by the General Administration of Customs on Friday. As the first of its kind across the nation, the pilot zone will inject impetus into the country's efforts to advance high-standard opening-up, according to the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone Administration.

Occupying a planning area of 880,000 square meters, the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone's general plan was approved by the State Council in February 2024, with the 440,000-square-meter eastern section having been designated as the pilot launch area.

Featuring a high level of international openness, the Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone allows invited individuals from all countries with valid invitations to enter without visas or other entry permits, and they can stay for up to 30 days per entry and can apply for extensions if needed.

In addition to the special 30-day stay policy, inbound people can equally enjoy existing visa-free policies during their trips from the business cooperation zone to Shanghai and surrounding areas, while people in China can enter the zone through the application of the relevant pass.

The future business cooperation zone is positioned to become a new platform for international business exchange, a new hub for the convergence of resources and services, and a new nexus for advancing the Yangtze River Delta region's integration.