Shanghai (literally "on the sea"), on the East China Sea, is as critical to China as London is to Britain or New York to the United States, and could not be re placed by any other Chinese city. A prod uct of China's modernization movement, Shanghai has also been an initiator and engine of modernization. Moreover, it has been a creator of virtually every change that has taken place in modern China, and a leading player in every period of recent Chinese history.

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It is easy to have a auick look at China's past and present, but it takes time to gain a panoramic knowledge of China. The "Pan oramic China" series is meant to assist readers, especially those overseas, in this respect. Each volume in the series focuses on a province, municipality or autono mous region, describing, with illustrations, the outstanding char acteristics of each area from dif ferent perspectives.

As a city,Shanghai is only some 700 years old and its history as a well known international metropolis is even shorter-a little over a century. During that time Shanghai has expe rienced many vicissitudes, its rise and prosperity becoming the stuff of legend. Being near the sea and reflect ing this in its name, since the begin ning of China's modern history, Shanghai has become the most vi brant and most internationalized place in China's modernization process. It is the epitome of modem. fast-changing China.

Today, Shanghai attracts more and more attention from all over the world. The legend continues.

Foreword

Shanghai and the Tides of Change

City of Charm

Living in Modern History

Convergence of Chinese and Western Cultures

Combining Trend and Tradition

Man and Nature in Harmony

Shanghainese Character

City Spirit

The Rebuilding of a Modern International Metropolis

Prosperity of Yesteryear

The "Four Centers"

Revitalizing the City through Science and Education

City Expansion

Two Strides

Reconstrtruction of the Old City

Urbanization of the Outskirts

Better City, Better Life

Appendices