Shanghai

Definitely Asia's latest, newest, upcoming metropolitan city. I went to Shanghai in the Summer of 2003, and has been in awe of its constant and rapid development ever since. This city will be a modern metropolitan marvel in 5-10 years timespan. If China can keep up with all investments going in and continue its wonderful aggressive modernization in Shanghai's future city planning, then Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Singapore should move aside. Shanghai will be the leading city in Asia, even New York would probably fall short.

I'm not too crazy about the new westernization that's been going on in Shanghai though. Its citizens seem to lovingly embraced the decomposing American culture. The younger Shanghainese would rather go to Starbucks than drink bubble teas or Chinese tea, they would rather eat McDonald's rather than eating Shanghanese noodles. The government has to do something to stop this type contamination in the society, heck in 20 years every single country will turn out to be just another town in America with McDonalds, Starbucks, KFC, Wendy's and TGI Fridays. I think in order for China, or in this case Shanghai, being the epicenter of economic showcase, should keep its value and traditional culture while moving forward at a blistering speed. While I like McDonald's sometimes, I also love Shanghainese Xiao Long Bao.

The city is amazing, when I was there I was with a person who went to Shanghai several months back, and he almost couldn't recognize where he is, because there were so many new buildings built already, the industrizaltion and modernization pace are amazing. The subway is also first class. And Shanghai food is at its finest here. I'm not big with Shanghainese cuisine but they were extraordinary. The night life is great, although the clubs are like those in HongKong, Tokyo and Singapore, but the people sometimes could tell that it's still China.

What do I mean by that ? Despite the great Pu Dong area, the newest, latest, most architecturally inspiring high-tech buildings and other structures, the great subway systems, and great shopping places, you could immediately tell the differences between the classes of people there. The public bathrooms are still like in the 19th century. Totally repulsive, stinks, and the so sickening even to stand 10 meter away. Most of the people develop less faster than the infrastructure itself. You may see poverty around you and in most of the older areas, people still live like it is in 1950s. People still spit on the floor and getting into the subway remains an unpleasant experience as people would ignorantly just squeeze themselves in without consent about others.

It remains a challenge for Shanghai regional government how they can balance these two sides of the society and find equilibrium with their rapid economic changes. I enjoyed my stay and there are a lot of opportunities to do business. I would love to work there but I still love Hong Kong more, at least until Shanghai overtake its status to be the city of tomorrow in 5-10 years to come.