Shanghai eyes Belt and Road key role

Shanghai aims to become an investment and financing hub for markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and a global renminbi financial services center, said city authorities on Wednesday.

"The city will step up the opening of the financial market, leveraging resources and innovative mechanisms at the China (Shanghai) Piloted Free Trade Zone, such as cross-border financing and investment, and the issuance of renminbi-denominated bonds," said Tang Zhiping, director of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission.

Shanghai municipal government released a circular on Wednesday that includes 60 measures to maximize the impact of existing policies to better serve demands from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in aspects including trade and financing, cultural exchanges, education and human resources, innovation and technological development, and policymaking.