Shanghai to be more friendly to overseas tourists, companies

SHANGHAI - Shanghai has vowed to create a more friendly environment for foreign tourists and companies and build itself into an "excellent global city" by 2035.

According to an urban construction plan published Thursday, by 2035 the number of annual overseas tourists to the city will reach 14 million, and the population of foreigners living in Shanghai will be around 800,000.

According to Xu Yisong, head of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Land Resources, the plan is benchmarked against the experience of other international metropolises such as London, Tokyo and New York.

In efforts to create a more livable city, the plan promises to reduce the annual average PM2.5 concentration to around 25 micrograms per cubic meter by 2035.

The total coverage of land allocated for construction will be limited to under 3,200 square kilometers, while land for ecological use will account for over 60 percent of the total urban land area by 2035. Moreover, 23 percent of Shanghai will be covered by forest.

According to the plan, the city will further explore the construction of a free trade port, and make efforts to deepen reform of the Shanghai free trade zone.

Obstacles against the flow of international talent will be removed. The overall business environment and related policies will also be improved

"The plan marks our resolution to participate in global competition and cooperation on behalf of our nation," Xu said.