Issue 98

Shanghai Weekly Bulletin

No.3,June 2025

Shanghai Weekly Bulletin is an information service presented by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government in collaboration with Wolters Kluwer to foreign-funded enterprises, foreign-related institutions as well as people from overseas living in Shanghai. Covering major national and Shanghai foreign-related news, event information, policy Q&A and interpretations in the past week, it keeps you up-to-date with the latest foreign-related policies and developments in Shanghai.

 

Laws and Regulations

【National】

 

1.China Expands 240-hour Visa-free Transit Policy to 55 Countries

【Keywords: Indonesia, Visa-free transit】

 

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that, effective June 12, 2025, citizens of Indonesia are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy. With this inclusion, the number of countries covered by the visa-free transit policy has increased to 55.

 

Source:NIA

 

2.Seven Authorities Issue Plan to Advance Digital Transformation of the Food Industry

【Keywords: Food industry, Digital】

 

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), together with six other authorities, recently released the Implementation Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Food Industry. The plan outlines 18 key tasks in four major actions, namely, advancing innovative application of information technology, fostering new models and business forms, promoting quality improvement and industry upgrade, and building foundational capabilities and empowerment.

 

Source:MIIT

https://www.miit.gov.cn/zwgk/zcwj/wjfb/tz/art/2025/art_5b1d644caf3f44549a53361a996bc3eb.html

 

【Shanghai】

 

1.Shanghai Enhances Support for Pilot-scale Testing Services in Key Industries

【Keyword: Pilot-scale testing platforms】

 

Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization (SHEITC), together with two other authorities, issued the Implementation Plan for the Innovative Development of Pilot-scale Testing Platforms in Shanghai. According to the plan, by 2027, the city aims to establish approximately 20 municipal-level pilot-scale testing platforms that are fully functional, open and shared, and distinguished by unique features in key industrial sectors. Efforts will also be made to develop three national-level pilot-scale testing platforms.

 

Source:SHEITC

https://www.sheitc.sh.gov.cn/cyfz/20250611/640863d49c164ae4b2dd914bb421ee3d.html

 

2.Nine Authorities Issue Guidelines to Support the Building of a Beautiful Shanghai

【Keywords: Beautiful Shanghai】

 

The Shanghai Head Office of the People’s Bank of China, together with eight other authorities, recently issued the Notice on Leveraging the Role of an International Green Finance Hub to Support the Building of a Beautiful Shanghai. The document outlines 20 targeted measures across areas including key projects of green finance, capacity building for financial institutions, and innovation in products and service models.

 

Source:Shanghai Head Office of the People’s Bank of China

 

One Week in Shanghai

 

【Latest News】

 

1.Shanghai Selected as Pilot City for National Retail Innovation and Improvement Initiative

【Keywords: Shanghai, National retail sector】

 

The General Offices of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), together with four other governmental departments, recently released the list of the first batch of pilot cities for the national retail innovation and improvement initiative. Shanghai, along with Beijing and 36 other cities, has been selected.

 

Source:MOFCOM

https://ltfzs.mofcom.gov.cn/gztz/art/2025/art_785bd59c6d87446490cf2c4dade41df0.html

 

2.“Offshore Pass” Connects with “Cross-border Financial Services Platform”, Creating a New Window for Offshore Trade Service

【Keywords: Cross-border finance, Offshore trade】

 

The pilot program “Cross-border Financial Service Platform for New Offshore International Trade Background Verification Applications” has recently been launched, with participation from 21 Chinese and foreign-funded banks. Following the launch of pilot scenarios, banking business can be processed entirely online. Key business information can be verified in real time, which shortens the original 1–2 working day offline paper-based review process to less than 30 minutes.

 

Source:Smart FTZ

 

3.Yangtze River Delta’s First Work and Residence Permits Issued in Shanghai under Cross-provincial “One-stop” Service

【Keywords: Yangtze River Delta, Work and residence permits】

 

Recently, with the support of the Yangtze River Delta integrated government service task force and the establishment of an efficient collaborative working mechanism among three provinces and one city (namely, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shanghai), Shanghai issued the first work and residence permits for foreigners processed through a cross-provincial expedited service. This milestone marks a significant step in boosting satisfaction among foreign professionals working in China and further improving the “soft environment” for business services.

 

Source:Shanghai Release

 

【Forum & Exhibition】

 

1.2025 Lujiazui Forum to be Held Soon

【Keywords: Lujiazui Forum】

 

The 2025 Lujiazui Forum will be held from June 18 to 19. The theme of this forum is “Financial Opening-up and Cooperation for High-quality Development in a Changing Global Economy”. More than 70 Chinese and foreign guests from over 10 countries and regions are invited to attend the forum and give speeches. There will be 8 plenary sessions and 3 special sessions.

 

Source:Shanghai Release

 

2.China International Financial Exhibition to Open on June 18

【Keywords: China International Financial Exhibition】

 

The China International Financial Exhibition 2025 will be held from June 18 to 20 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, running concurrently with the 2025 Lujiazui Forum. Centering around the theme “Openness and Innovation, Technology Empowerment, Shaping the New Future of Finance”, the exhibition will feature, for the first time, a dedicated Fintech Solutions Zone, highlighting cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing and privacy computing and their innovative applications in the financial sector.

 

Source:Shanghai Finance

 

【Competitive Event】

 

1.2025 Shanghai High-value Patent Operation Competition Opens for Registration

【Keywords: Shanghai High-value Patent Operation Competition】

Registration for the 2025 Shanghai High-value Patent Operation Competition officially opened on June 11. Registration is available at: http://2025.ipop.sh.cn/. Innovation entities across the country — including universities, research institutes, medical and health institutions, enterprises, and sci-tech innovation teams — are welcome to participate. 

 

Source:Shanghai Technology Exchange

 

【Culture & Art】

 

1.2025 Shanghai Night Festival Kicks Off

【Keywords: Shanghai Night Festival】

The 2025 Shanghai Night Festival recently opened at Columbia Circle in Changning District. Running from June through September, this year’s festival carries the theme “Night Live Goes On”. It will feature an initial lineup of 130 themed summer night activities, including Trendy Sports Night, E-sports Life Month, and Shanghai Night Live Music Season, alongside distinctive experiential scenes such as “public transit + shopping” and “cruise + shopping”.

 

Source:International Services Shanghai

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250606/2ee19d695408482fbaa57838e3c78d14.html

 

2.27th Shanghai International Film Festival Opens

【Keywords: Shanghai International Film Festival】

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) officially opened on June 13. The festival features the selection of the Golden Goblet Awards, the Gala Night, and the Golden Goblet Awards Ceremony. Over 400 films will be screened in approximately 1,500 sessions throughout the festival.

 

Source:SIFF

 

3.“Paths to Modernity” Exhibition from Musée d’Orsay to Open Soon

【Keywords: Musée d’Orsay】

On June 19, the exhibition “Paths to Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris” will open at the Museum of Art Pudong (MAP). Featuring over 100 authentic works, the exhibition showcases some of the most iconic Western artworks from the 1840s through the early 20th century.

 

Source:MAP

 

4.“The Exhibition of Aesthetic Life in the Tang Dynasty” to Open Soon

【Keywords: Tang dynasty, Aesthetic life】

The Fengxian Museum will host The Exhibition of Aesthetic Life in the Tang Dynasty on June 18.  The exhibition includes three sections — “Flourishing Splendour”, “Radiant Glory”, and “Tang Dynasty Elegance” — showcasing the people’s longing for and pursuit of a refined and fulfilling life in the Tang Dynasty.

 

Source:Fengxian Museum

 

【Corporate Activities】

 

1.Siemens Energy Shanghai High-voltage Switchgear Factory Custom-built Facility Project Breaks Ground

【Keyword: Siemens】

 

The Siemens Energy Shanghai High-voltage Switchgear Factory Custom-built Facility Project recently broke ground in the Shanghai Minhang Economic and Technological Development Zone. Focusing on R&D and manufacturing of environmentally friendly gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear, the project will leverage digital, intelligent and green design concepts to establish a new global benchmark for smart manufacturing platforms.

 

Source:Minhang Today

 

2.Authentic Brands Group Establishes Asia Pacific Headquarters in Jing’an

【Keyword: Authentic】

 

Recently, Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development and licensing platform, announced the official opening of its Asia Pacific headquarters in Jing’an District, Shanghai. The Asia Pacific headquarters covers an area of nearly 2,000 square meters and brings together a full-featured team covering lifestyle, entertainment, brand management, business development, public relations, and marketing.

 

Source:Shanghai Jing’an

 

Q&A

 

Q:The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters at a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce — In the first five months, the total value of China’s trade in goods increased by 2.5% year-on-year, of which exports increased by 7.2%. How does the Ministry of Commerce view China’s economic and trade “report card” in the first five months, and what is the outlook for the foreign trade situation in the next stage?

 

A: Since the beginning of this year, China’s foreign trade has steadily advanced amid a complex environment. Foreign trade enterprises have shown strong adaptability and innovation, and supportive policies for businesses have taken effect, resulting in simultaneous growth in trade volume and quality. This demonstrates the unique resilience and vitality of China’s foreign trade, reflected in three main aspects:

First, China’s “circle of friends” has become more diversified. In the first five months, emerging markets contributed more to growth. China’s imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries increased by 4.2%, with ASEAN member states up 9.1% and Africa up 12.4%. The diversified market landscape continues to expand.

Second, new growth drivers are gathering momentum. China’s foreign trade is increasingly characterized by innovation and higher added value, with enhanced competitiveness in high-tech and high value-added products. In the first five months, exports of mechanical and electrical products grew by 9.3%, accounting for 60% of total exports. Among these, exports of integrated circuits rose 18.9%, general machinery 9.5%, electric vehicles 19%, and ships 18.9%. Emerging business forms of foreign trade such as bonded maintenance have fostered new growth momentum. In coordination with relevant departments, we have introduced the first catalogue of bonded maintenance products for pilot free trade zones, allowing qualified regions to carry out bonded maintenance services for high-value-added products like aircraft and ships. By May, over 280 bonded maintenance projects had been launched nationwide.

Third, foreign trade entities remain dynamic. In the first five months, private enterprises’ imports and exports increased by 7%, accounting for 57.1% of total trade. Foreign-funded enterprises have seen four consecutive months of import and export growth, with the number of foreign-funded companies with actual trade performance reaching 73,000.

Going forward, in the face of a complex and volatile external environment, we will steadfastly expand high-standard opening-up and address the uncertainty of drastic changes in the external environment with the certainty of China’s own high-quality development. We look forward to working with more trade partners to address risks and challenge and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

Source:Ministry of Commerce

https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfbzt/2025/swbzklxxwfbh2025n6y12r/index.html

 

Expert Perspective

 

Foreign Investment Access Regime in China’s Cell and Gene Therapy Industry: Policy Analysis, Industry Implications and Compliance Recommendations

By Zhang Qixiang, Cheng Junge, Zhang Menglin, and Deng Zike (Zhong Lun Law Firm)

 

In recent years, the cell and gene therapy (CGT) industry has witnessed rapid development, emerging as a cutting-edge frontier of the global healthcare sector. In parallel, China’s regulatory framework governing foreign investment access to the CGT industry has undergone a significant transformation — from an initial absence of regulation, through a phase characterized by selective prohibitions and encouragements, to progressive liberalization. On 7 September 2024, the Ministry of Commerce, National Health Commission, and National Medical Products Administration jointly issued the Notice on Launching Pilot Programs for Further Opening-up in the Healthcare Sector. Under the policy, foreign-funded enterprises are conditionally permitted to engage in the technology development and application of human stem cell and gene diagnosis and therapy in the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and Hainan Free Trade Port. This marks a significant step forward in China’s opening-up of the CGT sector and is expected to inject new momentum into the industry's growth in China. This article provides an overview of the CGT industry and systematically analyzes China’s foreign investment access policies in this field. It further examines the implications of these policies for the industry and its stakeholders and offers practical compliance recommendations.

I. Overview of the CGT Industry

The cell and gene therapy industry is an emerging branch of the biopharmaceutical sector based on advancements in cell and gene technologies. These innovative therapies treat diseases at their root by directly intervening at the cellular or genetic level — offering curative potential beyond the reach of traditional clinical methods. Broadly defined, CGT encompasses both cell therapy and gene therapy. From a regulatory perspective, the CGT sector in China can be further categorized into three segments: cell therapy, gene therapy, and gene-modified cell therapy.

[To be Continued]