Shanghai's municipal government held a news conference to announce the start of the 2026 Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference on March 14, lasting a week. The event aims to enhance the business environment and government services to build stronger industrial chains. Officials and executives highlighted new platforms for emerging technologies to attract investments.
Officials from the Shanghai municipal government stated at a news conference that the city will intensify efforts to improve its business environment and government services, fostering more robust industrial chains. Tang Wenkan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, outlined the conference's highlights, including new public service platforms to nurture emerging technologies such as computing power resources, language data supply, and support for companies' overseas expansion. Pilot testing platforms will cover areas like intelligent terminal hardware-software adaptation, advanced civil aircraft manufacturing, and components for embodied artificial intelligence. Landmark application scenarios include a training facility for humanoid robots, a high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone, and a test base for new-type aircraft.
Several new projects are expected to be signed during the event, such as a local integrated circuit company's base for 3D chip integrated manufacturing and research and production of general aviation engines. The open innovation center of French tire and mobility company Michelin will also be signed. Shanghai will release the 3.0 version of its industry map to guide districts in focusing on leading industries and cultivating 25 niche sectors, each targeting an annual output value of 100 billion yuan.
Tang Wenkan noted that Shanghai plans to integrate AI agents into government services for enterprises to more precisely match businesses with relevant policies. Domestic bearing manufacturer C&U Group, a first-time attendee, will hold more than five business matchmaking activities with suppliers, clients, and research institutes to upgrade products in line with market demand. The company's new global research and development center began construction in Minhang district on January 7, prompted by Shanghai's comprehensive application scenarios for high-end bearings, including robots, industrial machine tools, low-altitude aircraft, energy-saving services, and new energy vehicles, according to Long Shaosheng, vice-president of the company.
Nearly 500 prominent enterprises have confirmed participation, including AstraZeneca, GE, and Haier. Investment institutions such as Brookfield Asset Management, KKR, and Qiming Venture Partners, along with innovative startups like AI firm MiniMax and Horizon Robotics, will attend. For the first time, the conference will be held at the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone in Pudong New Area, featuring two-way free flow of goods and people. Li Hui, deputy head of Pudong, said the district aims to build hardcore industry clusters during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), with integrated circuits, biomedicine, intelligent connected vehicles, and software and information services exceeding 500 billion yuan each. AI and intelligent terminals should reach 200 billion yuan apiece, while civil aviation, shipbuilding and marine engineering, embodied AI, and new energy sectors target breakthroughs to the 100 billion yuan level. In 2025, Shanghai introduced 4,463 key projects, attracting a total investment of 1.26 trillion yuan, according to Pu Yapeng, deputy director of the commission. (248 words)
