Shanghai grants Pudong district more autonomy to boost development

The Shanghai municipal government has rolled out 20 supportive measures to empower Pudong district to further reform itself, aiming to double its economic aggregate in seven years.

According to a document released on Tuesday, Pudong will be given more authorities in economic regulation, administrative review and approval, planning and law enforcement.

The GDP of Pudong topped 1 trillion yuan (145 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, accounting for about one-third of Shanghai's total. The document said the district aims to double its GDP in seven years.

"The municipal departments are ordered to adequately delegate powers to their corresponding bureaus in Pudong district while enhancing data sharing for citywide integration of reform achievements," said Ma Chunlei, head of the Shanghai development and reform commission.

Pudong has been at the forefront of reform and opening-up in China since the 1990s. The document also required the district to promote high-quality development by making itself a "high magnetic field" for global innovations.

Hang Yingwei, the district head, said industries including chip, medicine, intelligent manufacturing, NEV and data will be prioritized in Pudong's development. Scales of certain industries, such as integrated circuit, have already exceeded 100 billion yuan.

The district government has also been given more flexibility in making favorable policies to attract talents from other countries.