Summary of Key Achievements
The five major new cities in Shanghai (Jiading, Qingpu, Nanhui, Songjiang, and Fengxian) have delivered impressive industrial results by 2025: the total industrial output value of enterprises above designated size has exceeded one trillion yuan, accounting for 25% of the city's total; the output value of emerging industries has accounted for 34% of the city's total, with a growth rate 1.4 percentage points faster than the city average. Each new city has focused on its own unique areas of expertise (such as Nanhui's large aircraft industry, Jiading's medical devices, and Qingpu's Beidou-based low-altitude economy), while also optimizing talent policies, improving public services, and strengthening the integration of industry and urban development to create livable and business-friendly comprehensive cities that support Shanghai's construction of a modern industrial system.
1. Impressive Industrial Achievements: Total Output Value Exceeds One Trillion Yuan, with Emerging Industries Leading the Way
By 2025, the combined industrial output value of the five new cities will exceed one trillion yuan, meaning that one-quarter of Shanghai's total industrial output comes from these areas. The output value of high-tech and strategically important emerging industries (such as large aircraft and medical devices) has reached 614.4 billion yuan, accounting for 34% of the city's total, with a growth rate 1.4 percentage points faster than the city average between 2021 and 2025.
More significantly, the six specific areas identified during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period (such as Jiading's medical devices and Qingpu's Beidou-based low-altitude economy) have all seen their output values exceed 100 billion yuan by 2025, with some sectors (like Nanhui's entire large aircraft industry chain) achieving double-digit growth. Iconic projects such as the second phase of United Imaging Healthcare and the Scientific Instruments Innovation Port have been established, further strengthening these industrial clusters.
2. Each New City Has Its Own Strengths: Focusing on Unique Areas of Expertise
Each new city has identified its core strengths to avoid competitive homogenization:
- Nanhui New City: Focuses on the entire large aircraft industry chain and has created the "Qingchuang Bay" science and technology innovation zone, which already hosts companies like SMIC and Horizon Robotics, as well as research institutions like the Lingang Laboratory. Over the next three years, it plans to introduce four national-level research facilities and 15 innovation platforms, attracting 25,000 innovative and entrepreneurial talents.
- Jiading New City: Specializes in medical devices and high-end equipment, strengthening its "Jiading Science and Technology Innovation Core" (with 11 national-level research institutes and nearly 150 laboratories), and plans to develop the "Med Device Valley" and "Xinggu" for integration of industry and healthcare (for example, cooperation between medical device manufacturers and hospitals).
- Songjiang New City: Leverages its university resources to build a science and technology park in collaboration with Donghua University, promoting a two-way exchange of needs between enterprises and universities (with companies providing requirements and universities offering solutions), and has already facilitated 43 project collaborations. It also makes university laboratories and large-scale equipment available for free or at reduced costs to businesses.
- Qingpu New City: Connects with the Hongqiao hub to develop its Beidou-based low-altitude economy (expected to grow by 22.1% by 2025) and leverages Huawei's technological expertise by establishing the country's first open-source technology support station to help companies accelerate project implementation.
- Fengxian New City: Focuses on the "beautiful and healthy" theme, using the "Dongfang Meigu" brand to strengthen the entire cosmetics industry chain (from raw materials to packaging, production, and export), and has introduced customs support policies to help companies save costs and expand their markets.
3. Integration of Industry and Urban Development: More Than Just Manufacturing
New cities are not just about building factories; they aim to become livable and business-friendly environments:
- Improving Public Services: Enhancing education and healthcare resources, such as adding quality schools and hospitals, improving transportation for better commuting, and increasing green spaces and parks for a more pleasant environment.
- Creating Distinct Brands: Each new city has a unique positioning: Jiading is positioned as the "Jiakun Tai Collaborative Innovation Core" (partnering with Kunshan and Taicang in Jiangsu for innovation), Qingpu as the "First Stop for Enterprises Entering or Expanding into Shanghai from the Yangtze River Delta," Songjiang as a "Model Modern New City," Fengxian as a "Growth Pole in Southern Shanghai," and Nanhui as an "Ideal City for Talent Entrepreneurship at Home and Abroad."
4. Effective Talent Attraction: Offering Financial Incentives, Housing, and Services
Talent is key to the development of new cities, and they are all taking concrete measures:
- Nanhui New City: Establishes the "Lingang Talent Day," upgrades the "Lingang Elite Card," which provides benefits such as housing discounts and car purchase subsidies for cardholders, as well as a new employment support program for young professionals. For example, Wang Xiyu, CEO of Yanji Technology (with a master's degree), received car purchase subsidies, cultural and tourism annual cards, and consumer vouchers through the "Golden Card," reducing his startup costs.
- Qingpu New City: Allocates over 150 million yuan annually for talent apartments that are ready to move into. Entrepreneurs like Zou Yifeng can enjoy rental subsidies and access information on settlement and professional title applications through service centers.
- Songjiang New City: Promotes course sharing among universities (such as those from East China University of Political Science and Law and Shanghai International Studies University), establishes alumni networks, provides more than 2,000 internship opportunities, and has secured over 20,000 talent apartments.
These policies are designed to ensure that talents can stay and thrive in the new cities, allowing them to start businesses and work with peace of mind.
Conclusion
The five major new cities in Shanghai have transformed from "industrial new areas" into comprehensive cities. With their specialized industrial clusters, livable environments, and talent-oriented policies, they have become new drivers of economic growth for the city. In the future, they will not only serve as key industrial hubs but also play a vital role in attracting talent and supporting the development of the Yangtze River Delta region.