Occupying less than 2 percent of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region's land, the Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub generated nearly 10 percent of the region's GDP, officials said at a work conference summarizing the hub's achievements over the past five years.
The core area of Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District, which is at the heart of the Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub. (Photo via China Daily)
Through integrated development across the YRD, the hub's GDP exceeded 3.3 trillion yuan (about $478.85 billion) in 2025, an increase of 1 trillion yuan from 2020, according to the conference marking its fifth anniversary, held in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on March 19.
The State Council, China's Cabinet, approved the framework construction plan for the hub in February 2021. It covers 7,000 square kilometers across Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD) and parts of the neighboring provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui in the YRD.
Over the past five years, the hub has achieved significant milestones in transportation, exhibitions, and business development, establishing itself as a vital link between China and the world. It has become a cornerstone in supporting China's unified domestic market and a catalyst for the integrated development of the YRD region.
Officials from the participating cities agreed at the conference that they are all active contributors and beneficiaries of the hub's success. Together, they have built a model that combines Hongqiao's service expertise, YRD's manufacturing capabilities, and access to global markets.
Shanghai's Hongqiao International CBD, the hub's core area, has been instrumental in enhancing transportation connectivity, providing international services and bridging domestic and international markets, according to Kong Fu'an, executive deputy director of the CBD's administrative committee.
The Hongqiao comprehensive transportation hub, already the largest in the nation, now facilitates two-hour travel to 25 cities in the YRD, covering 60 percent of the region's cities and 72 percent of its population.
"Hongqiao CBD offers one-stop services for international professionals, Chinese firms targeting overseas markets, and foreign companies entering China through the Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center, Hongqiao International Talents Service Center and Hongqiao Overseas Trade Center," said Kong.
In 2025, the Hongqiao CBD attracted $659 million in foreign investment, a 70.9 percent increase from the previous year. Its import-export volume increased to 102.72 billion yuan from 56.8 billion yuan in 2021. This shows growth in trade with over 150 countries and regions. Between 2021 and 2025, the Hongqiao CBD also saw the addition of 189 new headquarters.
IFF, a US flavor and fragrance company, established its Shanghai Innovation and R&D Center in the CBD in 2024. Yan Jing, general manager of IFF's administrative department, cited the area's comprehensive advantages and business-friendly environment as key factors in their decision.
"Hongqiao combines an international open atmosphere, a concentration of innovation resources, and convenient air-rail transport, perfectly aligning with our needs for R&D innovation and global operations. The abundant exhibition, trade and open platform resources here help us swiftly grasp market trends, enhance communication, and improve the efficiency of innovation outcomes," said Yan.
Building on past achievements, the Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub is well-positioned to achieve its 2035 goal of transforming into an exemplary future city. It aims to function as Shanghai's international gateway, an eco-friendly and low-carbon district, a dynamic center for technological innovation, and a highly connected transportation hub.