Shanghai was already dubbed as the “Paris of the East” 50 years ago when it was as well known as cosmopolitan cities like London and Paris. Today, it is seen as a “global business hub” and it is only a matter of time before it becomes the “New York of the East”.
Last month, I visited Shanghai for the first time and, during the brief four-day and five-night stay, experienced first-hand the buzzing dynamism of modern Shanghai.
The city has a population of close to 17 million which underlies its immense market potential. Depending on their spending powers, Shanghainese from different strata of society can take their pick from a wide range of choices - from paying three yuan for a bowl of traditional la mian to 20 yuan for a cup of cappuccino.
Sandwiched between the very rich and the very poor are those who enjoy a comfortable standard of living and the middle-class.
Businesses can thus find a niche for themselves by catering to the needs of different groups of consumers.
The eagerness of Shanghainese to keep up with the latest in fashion is a big boost to the market. Memories of foreign settlements 70 or 80 years ago make it much easier for Shanghainese than Chinese in other parts of China to join the mainstream of international consumer trends.
Indeed, the many facilities developed by foreigners in Shanghai in the early 20th century have laid the foundation for modern Shanghai to rejoin the ranks of global cities.
First-time visitors to Shanghai will invariably first be captivated by the soaring skyscrapers that symbolise the metropolis' wealth and glamour.
Across the skyline of Puxi is China's tallest building - the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower - in Pudong New Area. But it is said that the tower will cease to be the tallest when the Global Financial Centre project, a 94-storey edifice by Japanese investors, is completed in 2007.
Meanwhile, it is also said that the plan for the BionicTower, a breathtaking 300-storey residential-cum-commercial building has been drawn up.
The towering skyscrapers are signs of Shanghai's prosperity and the magnets that attract both local and foreign talent to converge on the metropolis. On the other hand, people are spoilt for choice by the variety of recreational and entertainment activities that demonstrate how colourful and interesting life is in Shanghai. It is no wonder that Chinese and overseas tourists are flocking to the city.
Shanghai presents a unique mix of East and West as well as new and old in wining, dining and merry-making. While the choices are increasingly global, consumer goods are cheaper than in most big cities. Not surprisingly, discerning tourists recognise it at once as a shoppers' paradise when they arrive in Shanghai.
The vast variety of merchandise alone may not be enough to make the tourists come back. But meticulous and excellent service will. The Shanghainese whom you see on the street will remind you of the congestion and apathy typical of a thriving city. Yet, step into any fast-food restaurant and you will be greeted with warm and friendly service from young waiters and waitresses. They will make you rethink what makes the city tick.
Just raise your hand and no matter how busy the waiters and waitresses are, someone will attend to you with a reply: “Right away!” They speak clearly and know their job well and I'm only talking about ordinary service personnel. This is a good indication of how competitive the young people in Shangnai are.
The tour guide in Shanghai who showed us around speaks fairly good English. He came from Xiamen and has just graduated from a Shanghai university.
”It's easy to find a job in Shanghai but hard to get one that one is perfectly happy with,” he said.
I told him: “It's not easy now even for graduates in Singapore to land a job. Singaporeans are also choosy. And the worst thing is there aren't that many jobs in the market.”
He said with a smile: “At least the people in Shanghai don't have to worry about that.”
Well, I did not come into contact with that many young people in Shanghai during my trip, but those whom I've met at fast-food restaurants and cafes no doubt struck me as highly-efficient, quick-thinking and full of drive. Young Singaporeans seem to lack the astuteness and dynamism that they possess.
It is true that a people's character is, to a great extent, shaped by the environment they live in. But if we rest on our laurels, we risk losing our vitality. And a city with little life will not be able to attract tourists, let alone retain its talent.