High-rise buildings stand along the Qiantang River in Hangzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Hangzhou has introduced 22 measures to strengthen its integration with Shanghai's Hongqiao International Opening-Up Hub, enhance industrial and innovation cooperation, and boost its open economy.

The measures cover digital services, cross-border e-commerce, exhibitions, high-end industries, overseas business expansion, transport connectivity, and tourism and consumption.

Hangzhou will promote cooperation with Shanghai in digital services, offshore outsourcing, and digital cultural and creative industries, and explore adopting opening-up policies tested in Hongqiao, including measures to facilitate cross-border services and compliant data flows.

To strengthen cross-border e-commerce, the city will attract headquarters and overseas expansion centers linked to Hongqiao, support international brands entering the Yangtze River Delta market, and expand access to legal, intellectual property, and compliance services.

Hangzhou will use the Global Digital Trade Expo to capture spillover benefits from the China International Import Expo. Plans include expanding the expo's focus on AI and token technologies and turning business connections into growth in investment and trade.

Other measures include improving cross-border services for the biopharmaceutical sector, helping technology companies enter overseas markets, and advancing major rail links, including the Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed railway and Hangzhou airport railway.

The city also plans to develop international business and tourism routes, attract global flagship stores and international brands, and improve tax refund services for inbound shoppers.