Hongqiao Intl Central Legal Hub designated as innovation demonstration zone

The Hongqiao International Central Legal Hub has been designated as a demonstration zone for innovation-driven development in Shanghai's service sector. The city plans to establish over 25 such zones by 2025.

Located in the Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD), the hub's primary industries include headquarters economy, modern commerce, and professional services. By the end of 2026, Shanghai aims to establish the hub as a functional platform that efficiently allocates legal service resources across the city, providing high-quality legal services to the Yangtze River Delta region, nationwide, and globally.

Key objectives and tasks include:

1. Strengthening Core Functions: The hub will focus on aggregating legal resources to form a legal services-led industry chain. It aims to attract top-tier domestic and international legal institutions and provide tailored legal support to businesses in the CBD.

2. Enhancing Openness and Competitiveness: The hub will align with international trade standards and support the Shanghai Arbitration Commission's Hongqiao Center. It will leverage major platforms like the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to drive investment and economic exchanges.

3. Promoting Innovation and Influence: The hub will integrate legal technology to establish a distinctive innovation layout. It aims to enhance regional cooperation and create a brand for legal service events, fostering an open and cooperative exchange platform.

4. Building Support Systems: The hub will provide one-stop government services and support entities like the Shanghai Bar Association's research center. It will establish a collaboration mechanism among government, industry, academia, and research institutions for continuous development evaluation.