Stories from Shanghai · China

Liu Zhongming, director of the Shanghai Stem Cell Clinical Translation Research Institute, explained new regulatory pathways for biomedical frontiers. China has implemented new regulations covering gene therapy, somatic cell therapy, and stem cell treatments. The National Medical Products Administration has approved 14 cell and gene therapy drugs for market entry and granted clinical trial permits for several cell therapy products as of April 2026. These regulations aim to formalize the dual-track path of drug development and medical technology application. The new approach aims to bring stem cell clinical research and applications into a more transparent regulatory framework. These medical techniques involve applying biological principles at the cellular and molecular levels to treat or prevent diseases.

The fifth International Consumer City Forum was held in Shanghai on April 30. The event was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Media Group, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

The event is co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. The festival theme is 'Love Shopping in Shanghai' and will run through the Labor Day holiday period. A series of activities will span through the Labor Day holiday and other major consumption periods. The festival includes live streaming events to promote consumer activity. Live streaming events for a better life are being held simultaneously on-site. Over 2,000 departure tax-free stores in Shanghai experienced high demand from foreign tourists during the May holiday. The tax-free threshold was reduced from 500 yuan to 200 yuan. Additionally, the cash tax refund limit was increased from 1,000 yuan to 2,000 yuan to encourage consumer spending.

The Shanghai Railway Bureau Group reported that the Yangtze River Delta will see a passenger peak on May 1 for the International Labor Day holiday. The passenger volume is expected to increase by 432,000 people compared to last year, potentially setting a new single-day record.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai on April 29. He said that basic research serves as the source of the entire scientific system and the foundation for all technical issues.

Russia is the top source country for inbound tourists to China, according to a SeaTrip report. Japan ranks second and South Korea ranks third on the leaderboard of source countries. Shanghai is identified as the top inbound destination within China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai. Xi Jinping stated that the central government has prioritized basic research since the 18th National Congress.

A four-day bakery festival in Shanghai, featuring 151 brands from 54 cities, sold over 800,000 loaves of bread. The Shanghai Bakery Festival at Shanghai MixC featured 151 high-quality baking brands from 54 cities across China.

Shanghai railway authorities predict approximately 8.59 million passengers will travel via rail between April 30 and May 6. Shanghai expects a increase in passenger traffic during the May holiday period. The Shanghai bakery festival reached a single-day peak of 170,000 visitors. Shanghai transportation authorities are preparing for a new wave of large passenger flows as the May Day holiday approaches. Local transport authorities in Shanghai are implementing detailed security and traffic measures to ensure safe travel during the May Day holiday. Forecasts indicate that approximately 8.59 million passengers will travel via Shanghai's rail networks from April 30 to May 6. This represents a 4.4% increase in passenger volume. The peak travel day is expected to be May 1, with daily passenger numbers reaching 800,000.

Wei Shenzhen, head of the cruise ship project department at Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, stated that AI technology has reduced the construction cycle of the Ada Huacheng by nearly 8 months compared to the Ada Moru.