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    SHANGHAI

    Written by: Mi Le
    Posted on: July 30, 2012 | | 中文

    Shanghai is China’s most legendary city. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was the chic and romantic foreign business city that extended for miles. Now, it is an international metropolis whose economic development is the highest in China. And it is home to a “Shanghai Style” culture, the defining characteristic of which is that it opens to the outside and absorbs elements from other cultures in a multi-dimensional way.

    Mi Le

    Shanghai is a charming place. It is that part of China that first came into contact with western culture and lifestyle. It is also one of China’s most developed regions. In modern times, Shanghai has been leading in fashion trends. The dressing and the hair styles of the local people, particularly movie stars, are usually followed by the whole country. The city also boasts advanced industry, famous for products of good quality and endurance. It was a matter of pride for Chinese people to use a product made in Shanghai.

    Located in the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai sits at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Its favorable geographic location makes it a great port city. In the 4th and 5th centuries, its inhabitants lived mainly on fishing. The city started to take form in 1292 and by the 16th century it had become China’s cotton manufacturing and handicraft industry center. In 1685, when its population amounted to 200,000, Shanghai Customs was established. After 1860, Shanghai became one of the country’s most important trading ports and a semi-colonial city with an unbalanced industry and commerce.

    In 1949, Shanghai entered a new era. In the 50 years of development since then, its economic strength has magnified notably and great changes have rapidly taken place in the city. Shanghai is the country’s biggest economic center and a famous historical and cultural city. Now, it aims to develop itself into an international economic, financial, commercial, and shipping center.

    Shanghai has never stopped absorbing different cultures and economic elements by embracing these from all over the world. With this accepting attitude, a culture uniquely in “Shanghai Style” has developed in the city. The buildings in Shanghai exhibit a combination of Chinese and Western styles and form a unique “world’s architecture expo.” All genres of performances are displayed on Shanghai stages, be it local, western, opera or music, or ballet. Its music varies from local folk music “Zizhu Tunes” to festive “celebrating gongs and drums”, from symphony to jazz. Its art embodies not only traditional Chinese painting and “Shanghai painting,” but also ancient Greek sculptures and the oil painting from Florence. Its food provides all imaginable delicacies and a tea-drinking culture from every corner of China, in addition to flavors from cafes all over the world. Its everyday culture still maintains the traditional Chinese elements, and, simultaneously, it has taken in varieties of western culture which can be seen in all aspects of the local life, including marriage customs, funerals, food, dress, fashion, commutative manners, etc.

    In the 1990s, with the opening of the Pudong area, a series of mind-blowing architectural projects have appeared and they are now tourist sites. Anyone who tours Shanghai will be keen on visiting the Shanghai Library, which is among world’s top ten largest libraries; Shanghai Book Town, the 27 story building covering an area of over 40,000 square meters; the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the tallest building of China, the Jinmao Tower; Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall; Shanghai Museum; and the Shanghai Grand Theater.
     


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021