Shanghai's Jing'an Central Business District (CBD) has officially become a member of the Global Business Development Innovation Club (GBD), following a unanimous vote by the council. GBD is a nonprofit international organization comprising 13 leading business districts worldwide, including Paris La Défense (France), Chicago (U.S.), Liverpool (U.K.), Montreal (Canada), and Beijing (China). The alliance fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation among top-tier business hubs to enhance their global competitiveness.
Jing'an CBD first engaged with GBD in April 2024 during the inaugural season of "The Flow: From Shanghai—Global Urban Humanities Dialogue" in Paris, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations. Later that year, GBD delegates from Paris, Chicago, and Casablanca visited Jing'an’s Suhe Bay, exploring its waterfront charm and innovation-driven business environment.
In February 2025, Jing'an CBD presented its development achievements at GBD’s annual meeting, earning an invitation to join as Shanghai’s representative. During "The Flow" Season 2’s London forum, Jing'an, alongside Liverpool and London, co-launched the *World-Class Waterfront Development Initiative*, advocating sustainable, resilient, and smart waterfront ecosystems.
GBD Secretary-General Julia Solodova praised Suhe Bay’s blend of history, technology, and sustainability, calling it "an inspiring urban model." Jing'an, spanning 37 square kilometers in central Shanghai, reported a 2024 GDP of ¥336.993 billion ($47.2B), with foreign investment contributing nearly 50%. The district hosts landmarks like Plaza 66, Kerry Center, and CITIC Square, with 92 office towers generating over ¥100 million ($14M) in annual tax revenue.
Comprising Suhe Bay (4.2 sq km) and West Nanjing Road (6.7 sq km) zones, Jing'an CBD aims to amplify global ties via GBD, fostering cross-border innovation and corporate partnerships. On November 18, 2025, "The Flow" Season 2’s Shanghai launch at the historic Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce will reunite GBD delegates to envision Jing'an’s future as a global business hub.