Shanghai mulls plan to bypass Great Firewall in bid to woo more foreign investment

Shanghai is not alone in such efforts, as Nansha district in Guangzhou is implementing cross-border data transfers with Hong Kong and Macau

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China’s rigid internet regulations have kept many foreign platforms out of reach unless using a VPN. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Ann Caoin Shanghai

Published: 7:00am, 24 Jan 2025

Shanghai is exploring the possibility of allowing businesses in certain areas to bypass the country’s Great Firewall and access internet sites overseas, as Beijing ramps up efforts to attract more foreign investment in 2025.

Although China’s rigid internet regulations have kept many foreign platforms, from Google to Facebook, out of reach without using a virtual private network, some jurisdictions – including officially designated “free trade zones” – are trying to poke holes in the firewall to woo overseas businesses.

Shanghai’s municipal government is considering a proposal that would give businesses in the Lingang New Area, part of the city’s free-trade zone in Pudong district, and those in Hongqiao district, direct access to overseas websites.

According to a policy document released earlier this month, Shanghai said it would “support the convenience of enterprises in the business district to access the international internet” and “upgrade the dedicated channel for international internet” in Hongqiao.

The measures were aimed at making the Hongqiao International Central Business District – a subarea west of the city which covers the Hongqiao International Airport and a number of business hubs – into a centre for international trade.

An aerial view of the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area, September 26, 2023. Photo: AP

A similar plan is being considered for Lingang New Area to facilitate cross-border data transfers for companies in the zone, including US electric car giant Tesla.