Pudong New Area, known as Pudong for short, is a Shanghai, China district. Pudong is sandwiched between two great bodies of water, the East China Sea and the Huangpu River. It is home to nearly two million residents who live within an area of 520 kilometers. Pudong is unique in that it holds the status of a sub-provincial city. There are only fifteen of such cities throughout China. Sub-provincial cities is half a step above the prefecture level cities. They come under the jurisdiction of a province but is independent in it’s administration when it comes to economics and the law. A sub-provincial city has its’ own mayor.

Pudong is one of the most important financial and commercial areas in all of China. The district houses the Oriental Pearl and Jin Mao Towers, as well as the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, all which pay homage to the continued development of China as a whole and the district of Pudong, economically.

Before 1990, Pudong was primarily a farming community. It was not until after this time that the government of China decided to turn it into an economic zone. The goal was to make Pudong central to the financial growth of the Country. To celebrate that goal and to provide a physical representation of it, the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Jin Mao building, amongst others were constructed.

Pudong has proven to be a very financially successful district. In 2005 alone, the gross domestic product was greater than 25 billion dollars. Pudong is also home to Waigaoqio, the biggest free trade zone in China and Jinqiao Export Processing Zone, a top industrial area and Zhangjiong Hi-Tech Park, which is a designated area for technology driven businesses.

Nearly 15 years ago, the government of China decided to turn Pudong into a national, financial powerhouse, and it has sparred no effort in doing just that. Banks are investing into building up the area and the government has sought to help the district stake its’ claim as a future economic power by building the Oriental Pearl and Jin Mao Towers, as well as the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone. Since 1990, the city has seen drastic changes and continues to move forward.