On the central coast of China is Shanghai. This is another city that’s deemed the Pearl of the Orient Sea because of its pleasant climate, vibrant cultural scenes, and thriving commercial centers. The twin pillars of economic prosperity and safe harbor provided by the colonial settlements saw both cities transformed into international metropolises with populations numbering in the millions, all within 100 years. Whether through the expansion of Victoria — Hong Kong’s capital under British rule — into four districts known as “wans,” or Shanghai’s promotion of foreign-administered “extra-settlement roads” leading out of the international concessions and tying them more closely to the Chinese-administered sections of the city, the core framework of both cities was established during this era. Many people are unaware of this location, but it is a trendy holiday destination for many people in India and Russia. Now Yan and a handful of fishermen are trying to change that — with a small cottage industry combining traditional knowledge and cutting-edge technology. First, let's start with the "Orient Seas" part of the name. "Orient" is an old term that originally referred to the East, or the region of the rising sun. In the context of the Philippines, "Orient Seas" simply means the waters east of the country, including the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. The Philippines sits at the crossroads of these two bodies of water, making it a strategically important location for trade and commerce.

By the time Shanghai was awarded the 2010 World Expo in 2002, it was a modern megalopolis with a population approaching 20 million. The city spared no expense to impress visitors to the 2010 Expo, inspiring a building frenzy that included a new terminal in Pudong International Airport, upgrades to the Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Mall and the Yan’an Elevated Expressway, new bridges and an underground public transportation system that has now overtaken London’s in size. Shanghai has truly regained what many feel is its rightful place on the world stage. As the sun sets and the skyscrapers light up, you’re transformed into a dreamy city full of color. Penang During the first half of the 20th century, both cities experienced their first golden age. By that time, Hong Kong ranked among the great trading ports of the British Empire behind only London and Liverpool, while Shanghai reigned supreme as the foremost international metropolis in East Asia. Shanghai emerged as a popular export centre for the British East India Company in the 18th century as Chinese silk, porcelain and tea became popular in Great Britain. However, the isolationist Qing Dynasty had no desire for Western goods, thus creating an unacceptable trade imbalance. To rectify the situation, the British took advantage of the Chinese penchant for opium smoking by cultivating and importing a superior product from India. When China resisted by seizing the opium and restricting trade access, the industrialized British army overpowered the Chinese in what became known as the First Opium War. After the Second World War, the British government in Hong Kong followed a policy of positive non-interventionism, providing the legal and regulatory framework for economic growth without interfering in the market. Under this initiative, Hong Kong gradually developed its own export-oriented industrial system and supplanted Shanghai as China’s only gateway to the outside world. Following the enactment of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978 and the Sino-British Joint Declaration affirming the “one country, two systems” structure in 1984, Hong Kong took advantage of economic globalization and the large-scale movement of its manufacturing industries to the Pearl River Delta on the Chinese mainland to reinvent itself yet again.

Blog Archive

Shanghai and Hong Kong are both products of China’s forced opening by foreign colonial powers and ensuing gradual modernization. These twin forces transformed this pair of ordinary coastal towns into China’s primary gateways to the outside world. Yet they also hold great symbolic value: The development of these two cities since the mid-19th century allows us to better understand the evolving relationship between city and nation. Cultured pearl farming is a relatively modern industry, and a few Hong Kong ventures rose to the challenge in the 1950s. But they struggled against Japanese competitors who came to dominate the trade. The city’s last pearl farm was shuttered in 1981. While culturing pearls is no longer common knowledge among the Hong Kong fishing community, Leung hopes his successful harvest will set a precedent for other fishermen to follow.

Saigon, newly known as Ho Chi Minh City, is located in South Vietnam, and it’s a luscious city filled with beauty and entertainment. That tech has multiple benefits. Some 10 to 20 percent of nuclei are expelled by the oyster — meaning a cultured pearl is unable to form — but this is usually only discovered when prizing them open at harvest time. Originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages, the territory has become one of the world's most significant financial centers and commercial ports. But serial numbers will also allow buyers to know exactly where their pearls have come from, reducing the risk of fakes or lower quality scams. In the resulting 1842 Treaty of Nanking, the Chinese ceded Hong Kong and extraterritorial concessions in five cities, including Shanghai. The British named their new autonomous settlement along the Huangpu River the Bund, which was later consolidated with the American community to form the International Concession. The French and Germans also carved out sovereign concessions, where they were not subject to Chinese law and could trade freely.But none of them are produced locally. Over-fishing and market forces have long devastated the wild pearl farming trade in the city. Although located in different areas within Asia, they all share the same characteristics to gain this title.

It’s home to beautifully sun-kissed beaches, cashew plantations, prominent historical forts, Portuguese cathedrals, spice farms, festivals, and much more.Soon after the transfer, the communist started to undo the city and destroy everything the South Asians built.

Throughout the second half of the 19th century, while most of China was suffering from internal conflict and poverty, Shanghai blossomed as foreign residents built up an impressive infrastructure. While the rest of China was entrenched in civil strife, Shanghai developed some of China’s best roads and hotels, its first gaslights, electric power, telephones and trams. The city continued to prosper throughout the first decades of the 20th century, welcoming Japanese, Russians and other Europeans, each bringing their own customs and culture. By the 1920s and 30s, Shanghai had grown into the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city in all of Asia. Although they’re home to many fast-food chains worldwide, such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, you can expect to pay a fraction of the price in Manila. Shanghai As you can see from the above, many countries, islands, and cities named the Pearl of the Orient Sea. Around 90% of all the coal harvested worldwide was from China, making this port a vital connection point for many countries.As for Shanghai, it must continue to study the example set by Hong Kong — not only its economic system, cultural achievements, rule of law, and concepts and standards of planned management, but also the positive way Hong Kongers responded to the challenges of the British embargo on China and the oil crisis, and how the adversity experienced during the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic, and the Great Recession has only made the city’s residents stronger. This spirit is the most valuable thing an international city can possess.