Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District, or CBD is widely seen as not only opening the door for international companies to enter China but also providing a springboard for Chinese enterprises to expand globally.
It enables more local firms to connect with worldwide resources and explore overseas markets.
As the core of the Hongqiao International Open Hub, the Hongqiao CBD is said by resident companies to offer exceptional connectivity.
"We call it '1530': One minute to the Outer Ring Expressway, 15 minutes to the Hongqiao Transport Hub and 30 minutes to downtown Shanghai," said Lin Wenhuan, director of East Hongqiao Group's industrial development division.
Bosch China's exhibition hall is a popular place to visit in Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Business Park. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
German engineering, electronics and consumer goods giant Bosch chose the Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Business Park in the CBD because of its location and policy advantages.
"It's only 45 minutes to our Suzhou plant," said Shu Mayao, Bosch Asia-Pacific president of global business services. It's really helped its performance in the country and last year Bosch posted 142.7 billion yuan ($20.05 billion) in China sales, about 20 percent of its global total.
In all, the park hosts over 4,000 business enterprises, a quarter of them foreign-funded. Its total economic output grew 11.8 percent in 2024, with foreign companies contributing half.
Talent support and international services also work to enhance the Hongqiao CBD's considerable appeal. The Hongqiao International Talents Service Center this year provided nearly 90 services to 55,000 people, including 13,000 foreigners.
A staff member demonstrates the AI overseas expansion tool at the Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
Building on this foundation, the Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center held 122 outbound events for 3,500 companies and used AI to connect Chinese firms with overseas parks and policies.
"Many of our innovations are now developed in China and introduced to Europe," said Jiang Jian, vice-president of corporate communications and government affairs, Bosch China and Asia Pacific.
