The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. A series of municipal government press conferences on Shanghai’s 15th Five-Year Plan has been launched to release and interpret the city’s relevant plans. The first press conference in this series was held this morning. It introduced the overall situation of the “Outline of Shanghai’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.”

The 15th Five-Year Plan period is a time for Shanghai to build on its momentum and make comprehensive efforts, as well as a decisive period for transformation and upgrading. The recently concluded Fourth Session of the 16th Municipal People’s Congress reviewed and approved the “Outline of Shanghai’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.” The Outline thoroughly implements the guiding principles from the Party’s 20th National Congress and subsequent plenary sessions, the important speeches made during inspections of Shanghai, and the important instructions for Shanghai’s work. It fully implements the deployments of the central authorities and the requirements of the municipal committee. The Outline clarifies the development goals and key tasks for Shanghai during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. It serves as a grand blueprint guiding Shanghai’s development over the next five years and an action plan for the joint struggle of all citizens.

First, Regarding the Main Structure of the Outline

It is divided into three parts. The first part is the general introduction, including Chapters 1 and 2. It focuses on reviewing Shanghai’s achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period while clarifying the development direction, overall thinking, and goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The second part covers key tasks and measures, from Chapter 3 to Chapter 15, totaling 13 aspects. It systematically deploys the key tasks and specific measures for Shanghai’s economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period across various fields. The third part concerns implementation safeguards, which is Chapter 16. In accordance with the requirements of the “Shanghai Development Planning Regulations,” the legal safeguards for the entire planning implementation process will be further strengthened to ensure the development blueprint is gradually translated into reality and productive forces.

Second, Regarding the Main Goals and Indicators for the 15th Five-Year Plan

Guiding Ideology. Emphasis is placed on reflecting distinct Shanghai characteristics, which can be summarized as “Four Withs, Two Promotions, and One Assurance.” The “Four Withs” refer to “with scientific and technological innovation as the guide, with reform and opening up as the driving force, with major national strategies as the牵引, and with modernized urban governance as the safeguard.” These are clear requirements put forward during the inspection of Shanghai and represent the methodology for Shanghai’s work. The “Two Promotions and One Assurance” refer to “promoting effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy, promoting solid steps in common prosperity and comprehensive human development, and ensuring decisive progress in accelerating the building of a socialist modern international metropolis with global influence.” This reflects the phased task requirements for Shanghai’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Development Goals for Two Important Time Nodes. Relevant development goals are set around two important time nodes: 2030 and 2035. By 2030, the core functions of the “Five Centers” will continue to leap forward. Global resource allocation capacity, scientific and technological innovation source capacity, high-end industry leadership, the influence of the open hub gateway, and cultural soft power will be significantly enhanced. Decisive achievements will be made in reforms in important fields and key areas, with greater breakthroughs in high-level institutional opening up. Efforts will be made to build the best practice area for a people’s city, continuously improve the quality of life for the people, further demonstrate the global influence of a socialist modern international metropolis, and continuously advance the comprehensive standing of the global city. By 2035, the functions of Shanghai’s “Five Centers” will be comprehensively upgraded. Important development indicators will reach internationally leading levels. The city’s energy level and core competitiveness will be significantly enhanced. The per capita GDP will double compared to 2020. The basic building of a socialist modern international metropolis with global influence will be achieved.

Main Indicators. The Outline sets 20 main indicators, of which 14 are expected indicators and 6 are binding indicators. The setting of these indicators mainly considers three points: First, leadership. Adhering to the principle of “few but precise,” representative and guiding indicators are used to牵引 economic and social development, demonstrating Shanghai’s mission and responsibility. Second, innovation. Aiming at

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 modern development, while areas like the Bund preserve its colonial-era history as an international settlement. Today, it stands as a vibrant center of commerce, culture, and innovation, blending its rich past with a dynamic, forward-looking identity.

Five Centers

“Five Centers” refers to the **Five Great Mountains (五岳)** of China, which are sacred Taoist and cultural sites representing the cardinal directions and center of the ancient Chinese world. Historically, they have been centers of imperial pilgrimage, worship, and scholarly retreat for over two millennia. Each mountain—Tai Shan (East), Hua Shan (West), Heng Shan (North), Heng Shan (South), and Song Shan (Center)—is associated with distinct mythological, religious, and historical significance.

socialist modern international metropolis

“Socialist modern international metropolis” is not a specific place but a political and urban development concept promoted in China, describing cities that aim to combine socialist principles with cutting-edge global standards. Historically, it emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as a vision for major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, emphasizing rapid modernization, economic power, and global integration under state-led planning. The term reflects China’s ambition to build showcase metropolises that are technologically advanced and internationally influential while officially adhering to socialist ideology.

people’s city

“People’s City” is a common name for urban districts or housing projects built in socialist countries, particularly in China during the mid-20th century, to provide standardized, affordable housing for industrial workers. These planned communities often featured uniform apartment blocks, communal facilities, and were centered around state-owned factories, reflecting the era’s ideology of collectivism and egalitarianism. While many such districts have since been redeveloped, they remain a significant part of the urban fabric and social history of cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

global city

A “global city” is not a single place but a category for major metropolitan centers—like New York, London, or Tokyo—that hold significant influence in the global economy, culture, and politics. The concept gained prominence in the late 20th century, shaped by sociologist Saskia Sassen’s work, highlighting how such cities became command centers for international finance and hubs for advanced services. They are characterized by their interconnectedness, diverse populations, and role as gateways for global flows of capital, information, and people.

Shanghai Development Planning Regulations

The “Shanghai Development Planning Regulations” are not a physical place or cultural site, but a set of municipal regulations enacted to guide the urban planning and development of Shanghai, China. First introduced in the early 2000s and subsequently revised, these regulations provide the legal framework for land use, infrastructure, and spatial management, shaping the city’s rapid modernization and expansion into a global metropolis.