Long known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, Shanghai combines a rich history with a modern and fashionable international metropolis. A major Asian-Pacific transport hub with excellent connectivity, Shanghai is the leading city in the Yangtze River Delta. It is one of the most open cities in China, with 182 countries and regions investing in Shanghai, and 670 regional headquarters of multinational corporations located there. In 2018, Shanghai's total trade volume was USD 491 billion.

Shanghai is an international economic, financial, trade, and shipping center, as well as a scientific and technological innovation center and cultural metropolis with global influence. Looking ahead, the 2040 master plan aims for an even more attractive city known for innovation, humanity, and ecology.