The Shanghai government unveiled its master plan for the eastern city's development on Thursday, drawing a concrete blueprint for urban construction over the next 18 years.

The plan, which was recently approved by the State Council, aims to build the city into an excellent global city and a modern cosmopolis by 2035 while playing a greater role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Shanghai is slated to become the core city of the world-class Yangtze River Delta city cluster, a center of international economy, finance, trade, shipping and technological innovation.