Minhang Rings in the New Year with Deliberations on 15th Five-Year Plan

A New Year Concert was held on January 1 at the Grand neoBay Cultural Arts Center in Minhang, ushering in the new year with uplifting and joyous emotions as the district moves forward with the 15th Five-Year (2026-2030) Plan.

At meetings held earlier this month, Minhang has outlined the principal objectives for its economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period: Comprehensive strength shall be steadily enhanced; emerging industry and clusters shall gain further momentum; the "North-South Strategy" shall yield tangible results; a comprehensive transition toward green and low-carbon development shall be achieved; the well-being of the people shall be continuously improved; and the effectiveness of governance shall be comprehensively elevated.

By 2035, the district will have significantly enhanced its profile and visibility as an international gateway hub, a source of technological innovation within the Grand neoBay area, and the center of an industry cluster featuring new-quality productive forces.

It will have largely established itself as a vital strategic pillar supporting Shanghai's emergence as a globally influential modern international socialist metropolis.

The district will be fully developed into a modern urban center characterized by innovation, openness, ecological vitality, cultural vibrancy and liveability, serving as the primary stronghold for new-quality productive forces.

The district is confident to reach the goals as its efforts in the past 14th Five-Year (2021-2025) period have laid a solid foundation.

Solid foundation

In 2025, the concluding year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Minhang delivered an outstanding performance in both quality and efficiency, demonstrating remarkable resilience in its economic development. A total of 206 large-scale projects started construction, with a combined investment of 61.5 billion yuan (US$8.82 billion), injecting robust momentum into economic growth.

The district has anchored its development around three leading industries: advanced energy equipment and green low-carbon technologies, aerospace and biopharmaceuticals. It is also positioning itself for future growth sectors such as brain-computer interfaces and the low-altitude economy.

Last year, research and development-related expenditure accounted for 80 percent of GDP, ranking first in Shanghai.

It has established 39 national-level innovation platforms.

'Happiest Urban District'

Livelihood has also seen significant improvements in terms of health and wellness, medical services, residential and neighborhood facilities, the ecological environment, and retail and consumption. It has been recognized as "China's Happiest Urban District" for two consecutive years.

Greenery space is also a highlight in the district.

The district boasts 312 kilometers of greenways and a total of 230 parks, including one suburban park, 57 urban parks, 160 pocket parks and 12 rural parks. Forest coverage spans 107,800 mu (7,187 hectares).

As planned, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, 17 new parks and 30 kilometers of greenways will be added, ensuring greenery becomes a defining feature of Minhang's high-quality development.

Priority will be given to completing the full circuit of the greenway alongside the Outer Ring. This will link the seven existing parks into a complete chain, extending benefits to a total of 600,000 residents in the surrounding areas.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2025

• The regional GDP is expected to grow by around 5%, maintaining its position as the second-highest in the city in terms of total volume, and the local general public budget revenue has reached 35.09 billion yuan.

• The per capita disposable income of residents is expected to reach 96,200 yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.8%.

• The national university science parks of two universities – Shanghai Jiao Tong University and East China Normal University – were officially inaugurated, having incubated and attracted a total of 163 alumni-founded enterprises.

• The proportion of rivers and lakes with water quality rated at or above Grade III (excellent category) in the district has exceeded 92 percent, and the total number of parks has reached 230.

• The district has vigorously implemented the plan to enhance headquarters capacity, with a total of 300 headquarters-type enterprises settled here.

• An additional 60 hectares of green space, 7 kilometers of new greenways and 10,000 square meters of vertical greening have been added.

• 5 new community comprehensive elderly care service centers, 2 community senior canteens and 5 neighborhood-based elderly care service stations have been built.

• Construction started on 4 schools and was completed on 5 schools through new construction, expansion, and renovation projects. In addition, 14 high-quality kindergartens were built and 14 "Baby Care Rooms" were upgraded and improved.

• The quality of 54,000 square meters of sidewalks has been enhanced, with 1,151 new parking spaces and 6,717 new public charging piles for new energy vehicles added.