The main trade city in China

               Shanghai is one of the most talked-about regions in China with 22 provinces and five autonomous regions, Guangxi, Inner-Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Ningxia, as well as two special administrative units, Hong Kong and Macau. The main reason for this is that the region has a development that surpasses the rest of China in terms of economic, economic, technological and social development. As such, Shanghai is one of the four areas that fall under the direct control of the central government because it is an important hub for China's economy. The others are the Chinese capital, Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing. Over the past few days we have had the opportunity to visit this area representing the Asia Pacific Media Center. Located in eastern China, Shanghai is a beautiful area facing the mouth of the Yangtze River and the Pacific Ocean. The total land area it covers is 6340.5 square kilometers. At the end of 2017, the population was 24.1833 million. Shanghai is also the world's most populous city.

              The Shanghai area of ​​China is one of the most important destinations for global financial affairs. As such, it is considered to be one of the most important financial centers in the world, and it is moving in an economically vibrant direction, not to mention Shanghai, in focusing on China's economy, which is the second largest in the world. China's economic and financial activities are largely centered in this region, and it has made great strides in social development. According to 2017 data, the per capita income of Shanghai, the largest economic center in China, is US $ 18,450. As a global financial hub, it is home to a large number of international financial institutions and regional headquarters for 625 multinational companies. According to the 2017 financial data, the total value of financial transactions centered on the Shanghai Financial Center was 1428.44 trillion yuan. As such, Shanghai is also known as the largest producer of the yuan, the currency of China. As such, Shanghai is the fourth most competitive city in the Asian region, having become a very active region in terms of economic activity. It is followed by Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Shanghai is considered an important international shipping hub and transport hub. Another reason why the international community is paying more attention to this area is because it regularly hosts international conferences.

            In the four decades since China embarked on Open Policy and Reforms in 1978, Shanghai has been one of the leading areas in the economy that has played and continues to play an active part in my economic journey. As in other provinces and regions of China, development is taking place according to a specific plan and future development in Shanghai is in line with a long-term plan for 2035, said Fu Jihon, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Government's Foreign Office. He added that the plan was to make Shanghai a great socialist global capital by 2035 and to build it as an international hub with humanitarian characteristics in the areas of economy, finance, trade, shipping, technology and innovation. Although there is no internal political turmoil or protest in China, which is under the sole control of the Communist Party, it is not difficult for them to pursue development goals, but Sri Lanka's development can be seen to have shrunk from a crisis of lack of definite plans and policies and a crisis of political instability.

               Shanghai is one of the most sought after international financial centers in the world and also has a great reputation as a tourist destination. There are a large number of ornate buildings and towers, some of which are astonishing constructions.  Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is  considered an important landmark in Shanghai's tourism industry. It facilitates radio and television broadcasts as well as travel. At 468 meters high, it is the tallest television tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world. It is highly attractive due to the uniqueness of the way it is built and the wonderful museum on the ground floor of the tower adds a good light to it. Built with state-of-the-art technology that reflects the history of Shanghai, the museum facilitates tourists to understand the lifestyle of the ancient Shanghai people. All kinds of facilities are provided for local and foreign tourists to visit this place and the observation deck located at a height of 263 meters from the ground floor of the tower is an important place among them. The area is covered with glass so that the surroundings can be clearly observed. Another four meters up you will find a wonderful restaurant that specializes in roundabouts. Its pace is so slow that it does not interfere with tourists' food intake. Many of the dishes of Chinese food culture can be found in this wonderful restaurant and the day we visited there we saw the Sri Lankan flag and many dishes that are unique to our country. There are a number of beautiful towers  in Shanghai and Jin Mao and Shanghai Tower are two such tourist attractions.

          The Communist Party holds a unique position within the Chinese political system. The party makes all the decisions regarding the economy, politics and social order of the country and the party and the government function as one and not two. In addition there are some of the most important historical sites associated with the Chinese Communist Party. Among the historical sites associated with the Communist Party, the place where the party originated is of great importance. Due to its historical significance, this place is under the special protection of the Central Government. The first National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held at this place on July 23, 1921. The meeting room where the historic convention was held as well as the statues of the party representatives who participated in it can be seen here. In addition, you will find important historical documents about the party and information about the lives of the pilots of the Chinese Revolution, including Mao Zedong.    

           Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao are considered to be two intellectuals who played a key role in the introduction of scholarly literature on Marxism to China after the Russian Revolution of 1917. They played an important role in linking and promoting the Chinese labor movement with Marxism. Among them is a special article by Li Dosao on Marxism, which is considered to be the first article published in China on Marxism. Innovated with the latest technology, the museum attracts a large number of local and foreign tourists daily, as well as digital screenings of important events related to the Chinese Revolution. Two other important locations of the Communist Party of China, the venues of the party's second and fourth conventions, and the two residences of Mao Zedong, the undisputed leader of China, can still be seen in Shanghai today.