SHANGHAI, April 21, 2025 –– A news report from

To enhance international connections and economic openness, Shanghai will launch a new international business zone near Pudong Airport by the end of the year, offering visa-free access.

The Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, approved by the State Council of China in February 2024, aims to simplify cross-border trade through streamlined visa procedures, integrated transportation links, and business-friendly regulations.

Spanning 880,000 square meters, the zone, equivalent to approximately 120 standard soccer fields, will connect Pudong Airport and the Shanghai East Railway Station, which is currently under construction.

Foreign visitors arriving via Pudong Airport and invited by a registered business will be able to enter the zone without needing a standard Chinese visa.

The visa-free stay is valid for 30 days and can be extended. A port visa service will also be available on-site for visitors wanting to explore more of China.

The zone will operate with a two-tiered border system. Entry from abroad will allow expedited clearance into the zone, while exiting into the rest of mainland China will require full customs processing.

Facilities will include conference centers, exhibition spaces, and offices for legal, financial, and consulting companies.

The zone will synergize with the China International Import Expo, facilitating year-round business activities beyond the annual event.

Shops will support foreign bank cards, mobile payments, and tax refunds for international visitors. The zone will also provide international-standard medical services.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the nation’s leading international air hub, served 70 million passengers last year, half of whom were international travelers. The airport’s T3 terminal, slated to open in 2028, will increase capacity to 130 million passengers per year.

The Shanghai East Railway Station is projected to handle 60 million passengers annually. A shuttle service will connect the terminal to the business zone in 10 minutes.

Shanghai currently hosts 75,000 foreign-invested companies, 1,027 regional headquarters of multinational corporations, and 597 foreign R&D centers. Its ports handle over 3 percent of global trade, and the city leads China in international traveler volume.

The Yangtze River Delta, responsible for approximately 24 percent of China’s GDP, further boosts demand for cross-border services.

All buildings within the zone will meet ultra-low energy consumption standards. A digital system will manage energy, traffic, and security. Most of the area will feature pedestrian walkways and green spaces. Passenger and freight traffic will be separated to alleviate congestion.

It will be the first of its kind in China to integrate the free exchange of goods and services, cross-border movement of people, and professional business services within a single framework.

“This project reaffirms Shanghai’s position as a reform leader,” stated an official from the zone’s administration.

“It addresses the global business community’s needs for efficient logistics, talent mobility, and transparent regulations.”

Construction of the zone’s first phase is scheduled for completion by late 2025, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Pudong’s development, with full operation expected by 2030.

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