This afternoon, the Municipal Government Information Office held a press conference. Officials introduced the relevant details of the “Shanghai Action Plan for Accelerating the Development of a World-Class Business Environment (2026)”. They also answered questions from the press.

On the first working day of 2026, Shanghai held its ninth consecutive annual conference on improving the business environment. This is a concrete measure to implement the municipal government’s initiative to seize the start of the year. It emphasized placing the optimization of the business environment in a prominent position for high-quality development, to better boost market confidence, guide social expectations, attract top-tier domestic and international enterprises and talent, and fully stimulate innovation vitality.

In 2025, Shanghai focused on implementing the Version 8.0 plan for optimizing the business environment. Centering on enterprise needs and adopting a problem-oriented approach, it intensified reform efforts, ensuring the full implementation of all 58 reform tasks under the 8.0 plan. Significant results were achieved in enterprise services, factor guarantees, regulatory enforcement, and other areas. Notably, performance in World Bank assessments was excellent. Among 59 evaluation points in enterprise surveys, Shanghai achieved global best practice in 22, surpassing New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London. In the “Ten Thousand Private Enterprises Evaluate the Business Environment” survey conducted by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Shanghai’s performance showed marked improvement compared to the previous round (2023).

Recently, Shanghai issued the “Shanghai Action Plan for Accelerating the Development of a World-Class Business Environment (2026)”. Building upon the iterative upgrades from versions 1.0 to 8.0, this plan further strengthens the top-level design of the business environment. Focusing on the goal of accelerating the development of a world-class business environment, it holistically advances the optimization of the government service environment, market competition environment, industrial ecosystem environment, and social co-governance environment.

First, the main considerations behind the 2026 Action Plan.

Looking back at Shanghai’s action plans from version 1.0 to 8.0, they can roughly be divided into two stages: 2018 to 2022 was the first stage. The five versions in this phase focused on implementing benchmark reforms, targeting World Bank business environment evaluation indicators for precise攻坚 and单项突破, achieving “reduced procedures, reduced time, and reduced costs,” and striving to “answer questions correctly” and “score high” in key areas. The period after 2023 marks the second stage, gradually extending from benchmark reforms to comprehensively optimizing the entire business lifecycle environment. The connotation of business environment reform has been further enriched, its scope expanded, and its system improved. In 2026, Shanghai adheres to the “Big Business Environment” concept to guide the optimization of the four environments, formulating and issuing an annual action plan for improving the business environment. In terms of specific work arrangements, emphasis is placed on highlighting three combinations:

1. Combining holistic advancement with focused breakthroughs. It emphasizes both the “first kilometer” of top-level design and the “last kilometer” of grassroots implementation, while also focusing on the granularity of reform measures. Through deepening special initiatives like “One Thing for Opening a Shop,” promoting the SME financing service platform, and creating “First Stop for Startups,” it drives continuous improvement and enhancement of the business environment in related fields. 2. Combining continuous advancement with annual priorities. Anchored to the overall goal of “standardization, facilitation, digitization, and world-class,” it continuously advances business environment optimization. For key攻坚 tasks, it sets clear targets and further refines phased specific measures. For issues like便利准入, fair competition, and equal protection, it promotes continuous progress, striving for见效 within the year and tangible感受 for enterprises. 3. Combining international benchmarking with Shanghai’s实践. It learns from the World Bank’s business environment assessment methodology, integrating concepts like fairness, inclusivity, transparency, and digitization into work arrangements. Based on benchmarking against international best practices, it fully reflects Shanghai’s reform实践 and经验做法, continuously increasing improvement efforts in enterprise services, industrial ecosystems, and collaborative共建, shaping new comprehensive competitive advantages in the business environment.

Second, the new features of the 2026 Action Plan.

The 2026 Action Plan has more focused content and more refined wording. Centered around the optimization of the four environments, it outlines a total of 26 task measures, with three main characteristics:

1. Responding to new demands, promoting the healthy development of new business formats. Shanghai has issued action plans for optimizing the business environment for nine consecutive years, with annual reform measures closely aligned with the阶段性 needs of enterprise development. In recent years, with the rapid development of new economies and formats

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global metropolis and financial hub on China’s east coast, which grew from a small fishing village into a significant port following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. Its iconic skyline, symbolized by the Pudong district’s skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower, reflects its rapid 20th and 21st-century development, while areas such as the Bund preserve its colonial-era history as an international settlement. The city is a dynamic blend of historic Shikumen architecture, modern art, and a deeply influential modern Chinese urban culture.

New York

New York City, originally a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam in the early 17th century, grew into a major colonial port under British rule. It became the first capital of the United States and transformed into a global economic and cultural hub in the 19th and 20th centuries, fueled by immigration and innovation. Today, it is renowned for iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and its influential arts, finance, and media sectors.

Singapore

Singapore is a modern city-state in Southeast Asia, founded as a British trading colony in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It gained independence in 1965 and rapidly transformed into a global financial hub, known for its multicultural society, strict governance, and iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands. Its history is reflected in diverse neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam, which showcase its blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and colonial influences.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, originally a British colony from 1842 until its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. It is renowned as a global financial hub and vibrant metropolis, where Eastern and Western cultures blend seamlessly. Its history as a major port and trading center has shaped its unique identity, characterized by a dense skyline, bustling harbors, and a dynamic cultural scene.

Seoul

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, with a history spanning over 2,000 years since its establishment in 18 BCE as the capital of the Baekje kingdom. It later served as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty for over five centuries, leaving a profound legacy seen in historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace. Today, it is a bustling global metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with cutting-edge modern technology.

London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major global city founded by the Romans as *Londinium* nearly 2,000 years ago. It has since grown into a historic and financial hub, home to iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament, which reflect its long evolution from a medieval settlement to a modern metropolis.

World Bank

The World Bank is an international financial institution founded in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to help rebuild nations devastated by World War II. Today, its primary mission is to provide loans, grants, and expertise to developing countries for projects aimed at reducing poverty and fostering sustainable economic development. It comprises two main institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce

The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) is a national people’s organization and chamber of commerce in China, established in 1953. It serves as a pivotal bridge between the government and the private sector, representing the interests of businesses and promoting economic development. Historically, its role has expanded significantly alongside China’s economic reforms, becoming a key institution for guiding and supporting the country’s non-public economy.