China Learn

Shanghai, which is today one of the most dynamic and thrilling cities of the world, was defined as the first great city of the 21st century. Before the Japanese invasion of 1937, Shanghai had often been brought to us through celluloid by several world class directors including Kozuo Ishigaro in his immortal film “When we were orphan” (2000) and Stephen Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” (1984). Nor was Shanghai feeble in the sphere of trade and commerce.

However, as a result of economic reforms initiated in the 70s, the quantum of commerce and industry has increased enormously in the rapidly changing city of Shanghai. Now, the city has computerized stock exchange, five star hotels, intercontinental clubs, multi cuisine restaurants and sizzling bars. As the central Chinese government has started patronizing foreign investments by way of relaxing regulations and lessening bureaucratic formalities since 1990, U.S. investments have increased in Shanghai enormously.

IBM, the giant from the US has already opened its branch in Shanghai and others are following. Du Point, the conservative conglomerate has offices in Shanghai and several multinational corporations are in the course of starting operations in China, using Shanghai as their base. Copious flow of foreign money in Shanghai in recent years is also responsible for a boom in the construction business. You will come across quite a few multi-layered departmental stores and shopping malls offering classy consumer durables in Shanghai today. The manufacturing processes are not lagging behind in Shanghai either. Industrial units producing cellular telephones, fax machines, color television tubes, textiles, air conditioning equipments, etc. are now located within or in the immediate vicinity of this great city.

Taking into consideration the overall developmental aspects of the city, Shanghai today is considered China’s largest and greatest commercial and industrial hub, providing employment to thousands of skilled workmen that are flocking into the city everyday in great numbers. The situation has reached such an alarming position that unless the city is expanded by as much as ten folds immediately, there would be an acute accommodation problem in the not too distant future.

The rapidly changing city of Shanghai is now geared up to the level of a world-class metropolis as most of the pre-conditions move to that direction. Take for instance, the case of languages spoken in the city. According to a recent study, more than 40% of Shanghai’s residents speak in English. Also significant is the cultural diversity and absolute bar on racial discrimination. The present Chinese government is following the principals adopted in the US during the earlier days when specialists from all over the world were invited to stay in the US and contribute to the country’s welfare. The Chinese now are in the process of issuing “Green Card” to all eligible professionals for immigration to China with least hassles.