OVER the past four decades, China’s 229 national economic and technological development zones, spread across 31 provinces, have become key drivers of openness and innovation.

Shanghai hosts six of them — Songjiang, Minhang, Hongqiao, Jinqiao, Caohejing Hi-Tech Park and the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park.

They generated 460.3 billion yuan (US$65 billion) in GDP in 2023, or about 9.75 percent of the city’s total, and contributed 6.28 percent of its tax revenue, 14.43 percent of its trade value and 7.22 percent of the foreign investment actually utilized.

For example, Songjiang and Minhang are advancing in smart manufacturing, high-tech innovation, and green transition.

National-level Songjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, designated in 2013 and covering 42.86 square kilometers, hosts eight multinational headquarters and 32 foreign-funded R&D facilities.

It is sharpening its focus on two 100-billion-yuan pillar sectors: next-generation information technologies led by smart terminals, intelligent computing services and satellite Internet, and high-end equipment including new-energy infrastructure and precision instruments. It is also promoting growth in advanced materials, life and health sciences, and fashion consumer goods.

Minhang Economic and Technological Development Zone, one of China’s first national zones approved in 1986, has grown on the back of foreign-funded advanced manufacturing and innovation-driven, low-carbon industries. In 2024, it reported industrial output of 22.73 billion yuan per square kilometers of net industrial land, keeping it among Shanghai’s top performers.

From 2025 to 2030, Minhang aims to expand collaboration with the Grand neoBay innovation hub, attract 10 major projects each generating more than 20 million yuan a year, and lift the share of tech-innovation firms to around 15 percent by 2030.

StandexMeder

StandexMeder Electronics (Shanghai) Co Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standex Electronics, is a leading producer of sensors and relays with reed switches. It was founded in Songjiang in 2007 and generates more than 400 million yuan in business revenue each year.

“Songjiang is located in the heart of the G60 Sci-Tech Corridor, which has a significant concentration of high-tech enterprises and research institutions; a robust industrial cluster has emerged here,” said Ken Zhang, Finance Controller of StandexMeder Electronics (Shanghai) Co Ltd.

A smart factory upgrade project worth around 33 million yuan was completed in 2024, and it used advanced manufacturing processes to improve production quality and efficiency.

“The management committee of the development zone has implemented targeted investment promotion that fits well with the focus of the industry chain within the area, so that we can engage directly with local raw material suppliers, component manufacturers, and downstream application enterprises, thereby shortening its supply chain cycles and reducing logistics costs,” he said.

Production efficiency has improved dramatically over the last five years as a result of enhancements to smart manufacturing facilities. “By fully leveraging the Shanghai production base, we managed to sell products in a wide range of sectors such as Automotive, Test&Measurement, thereby consolidating our position as a global market leader,” he said.

Zhang had great expectations for the coming five years. “The pioneering role of the national economic development zones will be further strengthened, and Shanghai is expected to unveil further supportive policies in sectors such as high-end manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, and the digital economy, and more targeted stimulus measures will be introduced.”

This would open up new market prospects and create a more comprehensive development ecosystem, and specialised electronics producers in niche sectors would profit, he noted.

Zenner Meters

Zenner Meters (Shanghai) Ltd, an industry-leading provider of metering and measuring equipment, has benefited from Songjiang’s industry advantages. Recently, it set up a new subsidiary to focus on the R&D and sales of high-end metering equipment for customers in the European and American countries.

Since its founding in 2000, the Minol-ZENNER Group’s first wholly owned affiliate has served China and the world.

“Songjiang’s location at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta region gives us convenience in acquiring supporting talent and accessing technological resources, and it also provides great support for building a more flexible and resilient manufacturing industry supply chain,” said Peter Yang, CEO of Zenner Meters (Shanghai) Ltd.

The demand for enhanced quality and automation for metering equipment has been growing steadily within the international market.

“Aside from strengthening our smart manufacturing capabilities, we have significantly expanded our R&D team, with over one hundred R&D personnel for smart metering equipment,” he noted.

Songjiang also offers technological support for the upgrade of smart manufacturing capabilities and allows it to keep up with the latest national and city-level policies, such as preferential subsidies for the upgrade of Internet-of-Things infrastructure.

The city’s Economy and Informatization Commission accredited it as Shanghai’s Advanced-Level Smart Factory last year.

“The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to offer overall guidance for industry development, especially for smart manufacturing and quality assurance, and we’re actively matching our capacities to keep up with the national standards,” Yang added.

KSB Shanghai Pump

KSB Shanghai Pump Co Ltd is a joint venture between KSB Group and Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd that manufactures dependable and efficient pumps and valves for water, wastewater, industry, construction, energy, and mining applications.

Last year, it extended its chemical pump production line, and the Minhang Economic and Technological Development Zone provided aid and supervision to ensure the project’s smooth growth from the start.

The new factory allows it to expand into the new energy sector such as hydrogen energy, carbon capture and and carbon storage.

In recent years, it has advanced digitalization technologies through independently produced digital software that clients can use for functions such as energy conservation, emissions reduction, and product lifespan prediction.

The Minhang location has been one of the most efficient and open production facilities in the company’s global network. Government services enable it to focus on its core business and innovation R&D. Support has been provided for new project approvals, technology upgrades, and talent recruitment.

It aims to expand its innovations and deliver local solutions for green manufacturing to the global market during the next five years. It also intends to broaden and deepen expertise in developing industries such as hydrogen energy, data centers, and wind power, as well as to set new standards for smart manufacturing.