Exploring Shanghai’s Eastern Hub: A New Gateway for International Business

Recently, our Chairman John McLean OBE led our team to visit the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board (FIDB), where he praised Shanghai’s remarkable economic progress and the city’s pragmatic approach to driving high-quality growth. Director General Xue Feng introduced one of Shanghai’s most strategic new initiatives — the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone.

Why the Eastern Hub matters to global businesses:

1. A unique policy environment for real cross-border business. The Eastern Hub is the first zone in China to overlay a Comprehensive Bonded Area, Customs Supervision Zone and Port Restricted Area, enabling:

streamlined entry/exit arrangements for designated professionals

faster processing for short-term business, training and technical exchanges

bonded R&D, testing and demonstration

cross-border e-commerce and digital trade

offshore trade and international services

These pilot measures substantially reduce administrative friction for companies that need people and projects to move quickly across borders.

2. Direct access to global mobility Positioned between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the upcoming Shanghai East Railway Station, the zone creates a highly efficient ecosystem for teams who need to land, meet, work and depart seamlessly.

We look forward to exploring opportunities with partners interested in this emerging gateway for international business.

For enquiries or collaboration, please contact:  celine.xuan@cukbdc.org.cn