Shanghai is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the longest river in China, to the west bank of the East China Sea and in the middle of China's coastline. It links the inland regions and the outside world by sea and is comfortable with both eastern and western cultures.

With a history of more than 700 years, Shanghai was once the financial center of the Far East regions. Since the reforms that began in 1990s, great changes have taken place in the city. The municipal government is working towards building Shanghai into a modern metropolis and into a world economic, financial, trading and shipping center by 2020.

Today, Shanghai has become the largest economic center and important port city in China, with a land area covering 6,340 square kilometers and a population of 16 million people. It has maintained a GDP growth rate of over 10 percent in the last 11 years. More than 100 foreign countries and regions have investments in some 30,000 local projects, taking advantage of the 74 deep water berths and 20 international container piers at the Shanghai Port. The Yangshan International Deep Water Port under construction is expected to give modern twist to the port city. Hongqiao and Pudong International airports link Shanghai with 141 cities in 29 foreign countries and regions everyday.

The fluent communications system and exchanges between people, commodities, capital, technology and information has made Shanghai a vibrant city.

Shanghai is also a prominent historical city in China with rich cultural heritages. The vintage western style buildings on the Bund and the modern Lujiazui Financial Center in Pudong reflect on each other over the Huangpu River. The Yuyuan Garden and Longhua Temple, on the other hand, display the graceful ancient Chinese architecture.

In the last few years, various fashion shows, art and cultural festivals have attracted many a foreign tourists. The 2010 Shanghai World Expo alone is expected to entertain some 75 million foreign visitors. The shopping malls on the Nanjing road, Huaihai Road and in the Xujiahui Business Center are filled with people everyday, displaying the most stylish chic in the world.

The government is now working hard to build itself into a jural one serving the people and being responsible for the people. We give top priority to the task of ensuring people's health and safety. We implement all kinds of policies in line with the laws and regulations, and intensify the functions of many government departments.

The people of Shanghai are diligent, intelligent and passionate enough to welcome your visits and investments here, to get a better knowledge of today, yesterday and tomorrow's Shanghai.