Shanghai Targets CNY2.1 Trillion Strategic Emerging Industry Output by 2030 With Focus on Chips, AI and Biotech
Shanghai is setting an ambitious new direction for its next stage of industrial growth. On August 26, the Shanghai municipal government released its 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Strategic Emerging Industries, outlining a major push to strengthen the city’s position in high-tech manufacturing, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits and biopharmaceuticals.
According to the plan, Shanghai aims for the added value of its strategic emerging industries to reach CNY2.1 trillion, or about US$312.5 billion, by 2030. The target reflects the city’s broader effort to move beyond rapid industrial expansion and focus instead on higher-value technologies that can shape future economic competitiveness.
At the center of the plan are three major growth engines: integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence. These sectors are expected to play a leading role in Shanghai’s transformation into a global hub for advanced innovation and next-generation industry.
The integrated circuit sector remains one of the most important pillars of the strategy. Shanghai is looking to accelerate development in advanced chips, advanced packaging, core materials and other key parts of the semiconductor supply chain. By strengthening these areas, the city aims to reduce reliance on external technologies while building a more resilient and competitive domestic chip ecosystem.
Artificial intelligence is another major priority. The plan highlights AI not only as a standalone industry, but also as a technology that can upgrade traditional sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, logistics and urban services. Shanghai’s focus on AI is expected to support wider adoption of intelligent systems, industrial automation and data-driven innovation.
Biopharmaceuticals also hold a central place in the city’s long-term vision. With rising demand for advanced healthcare solutions, Shanghai plans to build on its existing strengths in medical research, drug development and biotechnology. The goal is to support breakthroughs in innovative medicines, advanced therapies and high-end medical technologies.
A key theme of the 15th Five-Year Plan is the shift from scale-driven growth to quality-driven development. Rather than simply expanding production capacity, Shanghai is prioritizing high-value segments such as industrial software, critical materials, advanced manufacturing processes and foundational technologies. This approach is designed to create stronger industrial chains and improve the city’s ability to compete in strategic global markets.
The plan also signals Shanghai’s intention to become a major center for future industries. By investing in chips, AI, biotech and advanced manufacturing, the city is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s next wave of technological development.
If successful, Shanghai’s strategy could significantly boost its role in the global innovation economy by 2030. The CNY2.1 trillion target shows the scale of the city’s ambition, while the focus on advanced chips, artificial intelligence, biopharmaceuticals and key industrial technologies points to a future built on deeper innovation, stronger supply chains and higher-value growth.
