Working in Shanghai
Industry in Shanghai is expectedly varied for a city with 20 million people, and expats work in a huge array of business. Most notably is Shanghai's centre of Chinese finances and focal point of international business and investment in China's steaming economy.
China has one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world but only recently, within the last 20 years, has it opened up to international companies and foreign investment. Shanghai was the resulting epicentre of new finances. Towering skyscrapers and an enormous financial district illustrate the growth. Yet the international industry in Shanghai is not only rooted to finances but also physical trade, as shown in the city's harbour - the largest cargo port in the world.
Types of industry range from steel, oil, chemical, cars, textiles, high tech equipment, technology, biomedicine and shipbuilding. While industrial production will always be an important part of Shanghai's economy, a new emphasis is being placed on high tech development and manufacturing, services and other renewable industries. Given Shanghai's important status as a economic hub, and a continued push to evolve its industry, it is a deservedly fitting location of the 2010 World Expo. The international focus will further bring international business and expats to Shanghai. China has one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world but only recently, within the last 20 years, has it opened up to international companies and foreign investment. Shanghai was the resulting epicentre of new finances. Towering skyscrapers and an enormous financial district illustrate the growth. Yet the international industry in Shanghai is not only rooted to finances but also physical trade, as shown in the city's harbour - the largest cargo port in the world.
Shanghai is one of the best places in China to find employment as an expat. While Chinese companies in cities such as Beijing are increasingly only hiring expats in top-level management or highly qualified positions, there still is a need for a large expat workforce in Shanghai's Chinese owned companies. This said, salaries and relocation packages are falling slightly as local Chinese employees are better able to fill in skill gaps. Knowing Mandarin can be important when applying for lower level jobs but companies will rather focus on speciality skills of higher level expats.
Expats should expect a higher salary and relocation package when hired from overseas than from already within the country. Some high-level relocated expat jobs come complete with allowances for housing, schooling and insurance, and a number of bonuses in salary, while many other positions come with none.
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