Shanghai yesterday approved an ambitious “future and global-oriented” plan to become a city of global excellence and a modern international metropolis with world influence.

The Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China said the city must improve its capacity and core competitiveness as it takes on the tasks entrusted by the central government, including enhancing its development as global centers for economy, finance, trade, shipping and innovation, serving the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, deepening free trade zone reforms, and carrying out further reform and opening-up.

Li Qiang, the city’s Party secretary, emphasized at yesterday’s fourth plenary session of the 11th CPC Shanghai Committee that Shanghai will need to develop in five core areas — economy, finance, trade, shipping, and scientific and technological innovation — in the next five years to improve its attraction, creativity and competitiveness.