Mission 
SHKDI aims to raise the level of research of the universities, provide policy advice to both the public and private sectors on issues of strategic importance in order to enhance the influence of the universities on government policy, help Shanghai and Hong Kong achieve sustained prosperity and deeper integration with the global economy, and achieve the greatest benefits for our region and nation.
- Provide policy advice to both the public and private sectors on issues of strategic importance in order to achieve the greatest benefits for our region and nation, and to enhance the influence of the universities on governmental policy
- Raise the level of research in both the Fudan University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong with the purpose of nurturing creative young talents
- Serve as an inter-disciplinary think tank to integrate the perspectives of different specializations in thorough studies in order to help Shanghai and Hong Kong achieve sustained prosperity and deeper integration with the global economy
- Study the economic, political, cultural, and social development of the mega urban regions of the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta to provide support for the sustained development and management of the cities in the two Delta
Focus 
- International development and global city network connections of Hong Kong and Shanghai
- Bridging roles of Hong Kong and Shanghai in cross-Strait exchanges
- Comparative analysis of the Yangtze River Delta and the Greater Bay Area
- Hub functions of Hong Kong and Shanghai within the Belt and Road Initiative
- Adaptation and alignment with international trade regimes
- Competitive and cooperative dynamics between Hong Kong and Shanghai as international financial centres
- Complementary functions of Hong Kong and Shanghai as shipping and logistics hubs
- Role differentiation of Hong Kong and Shanghai as international trade and exhibition centres
- Coordination of RMB internationalization and offshore markets
- Cross-border cooperation and application in the digital economy
- Synergy between green finance and carbon markets
- Lessons from international urban governance experiences
- Innovative policies for cross-border population movement and social integration
- Cross-regional emergency response coordination mechanisms
- Development of sharing platforms for high-quality educational and medical resources
- Enhancement of international talent service and support systems
- Pathways for building international technology cooperation networks
- Facilitation of cross-border research collaboration
- Training and certification of high-end talent
- International standards for digital governance
- Evaluation of the clustering effects of international R&D centres
- Comparative development of cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong and Shanghai
- Cultivation of youth values and international perspectives
- Enhancement of international city branding
- Innovative practices in the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage