From Overseas Press

Shanghai's on top of the world

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-04-26 15:13

Shanghai, as host of Expo 2010, is returning to its roots as a global center of commerce and culture, said an article in Time magazine.

The article praises Shanghai as "China's most dynamic, most cosmopolitan and sassiest city." With the fair opening on May 1, which will attract more than 70 million visitors over six months, Shanghai is "squarely in the international spotlight."

As the article describes, "Shanghai's style is to do things big. Its population of 19 million makes it one of the largest metropolises on the planet. More than 750 foreign multinational companies have offices in the city. The skyline counts more than 30 buildings over 650 feet (200 meters) tall. Stroll down certain streets, and you can easily imagine that you are in midtown Manhattan — so much so that on visiting the city in 2007 for the MTV Style Gala, Paris Hilton was moved to declare, 'Shanghai looks like the future.' "

However, the article reveals that while speaking with many Shanghainese, "you will get the sense that Shanghai is suffering from a bit of identity crisis".

Beryl Wang, 50, a designer from Taiwan who runs a trendy shop selling handicrafts, has lived in Shanghai for many years and is attracted by the energy in Shanghai, according to the article, "but because I'm an outsider, I still don't feel like I'm treated the same," she said.