Changning reports strong economic growth, unveils ambitious five-year plan
2026/01/08
Changning District achieved a regional GDP of 217.5 billion yuan (US$31.16 billion) in the first three quarters of 2025, marking a 5.6 percent year-on-year increase, officials announced at the Changning High-Quality Economic Development Symposium held on January 4.
The district anticipates an average annual growth rate of about 7 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
The district has outlined plans for the next five years to establish itself as a dynamic engine for the Hongqiao Hub, cultivate a distinctive industrial system, and foster a first-rate business ecosystem.
The district's recent achievements and future outlook have garnered much media attention, with 68 related reports since the new year.
On January 4, Jiefang Daily and The Paper reported that South-to-North Water Diversion Green Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd, the first subsidiary of the South-to-North Water Diversion Corp in Shanghai, obtained its business license in Changning. With a total investment exceeding 32 billion yuan, the project aims to build an integrated platform for investment and financing management, technological R&D innovation, and high-level talent aggregation.
Also on January 4, the front page of Wenhui Daily and The Paper highlighted the newly established Shanghai Electronic Materials Association, now located at 288 Xuanhua Road within the core area of Shanghai Silicon Lane. An international forum focused on the electronic materials sector is scheduled to advance the integration of "electronic materials + AI."
On January 5, the front page of Wenhui Daily and The Paper noted that Building 8 of the IBP Hongqiao Upper Town Phase IV in the east part of the Hongqiao Business District will be transformed into an AI research building and incubator, specifically attracting companies in the fields of AI agents and embodied intelligence.
On January 5, Shanghai Television's News Channel, Dragon TV, and Knews reported accelerated construction progress at the Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park. Currently hosting 16 low-altitude economy-related enterprises, the park is gradually forming an industrial cluster centered around the China Aerospace Electronic Technology Academy, attracting upstream and downstream companies.