Baoshan rolls out key initiatives to attract global cooperation

Shanghai's Baoshan district hosted a conference on optimizing the business environment and promoting investment on Friday, unveiling three key plans, five industrial ecosystem initiatives, and a new full-cycle business service model, all aimed at inviting global enterprises and talents as part of the regional development strategy for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030).

In optimizing the business environment, Baoshan has built a full-chain innovation support system from concept verification to industrialization, launching the "investment-first-then-equity" model.

For enterprises' overseas expansion, the district integrates resources, including outbound service alliances and international legal service centers, to launch the "four-in-one project," covering one-stop services such as inspection, certification, cross-border compliance and carbon footprint accounting.

Government services are upgraded: the smart platform is optimized, and the "inspection-registration integration" reform reduces application requirements by 60 percent and boosts enterprise demand response efficiency by the same margin. Additionally, it enforces on-site compliance counseling at industrial parks to reduce unnecessary disruptions.

In terms of intelligent manufacturing, Baoshan is establishing a humanoid robot innovation and empowerment center, nurturing smart factories and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative enterprises.

It is also consolidating the strengths of its 100-billion-yuan industrial cluster in robotics and high-end equipment, which contributes one-ninth of the national output and one-third of Shanghai's total.

Solid development advantages provide strong guarantees for the implementation of these initiatives. District head Deng Xiaodong notes that the upcoming Baoshan High-Speed Railway Station and Wusongkou International Cruise Port, which manages over half of China's annual cruise traffic, strengthen domestic and international links.

The high-end materials industry exceeds 180 billion yuan, while biopharmaceutical enterprises have tripled in five years, with R&D investment growing annually by over 20 percent. Prestigious educational institutions like the Foreign Language High School Affiliated to Shanghai Normal University, as well as strategic cooperation with medical institutions including Ruijin Hospital, enhance Baoshan's livability and business appeal.

The conference produced significant outcomes, with the signing of several major projects in intelligent manufacturing, low-carbon initiatives and new materials.