Facing both opportunities and challenges in the 21st century, Shanghai has already set its middle- and long-term development goals: To build the city into one of the economic, finance, trade and transport centers in the world and a socialist modern international metropolis and by 2020.

To keep the social and economic growth on a fast and sustained pace, make the World Expo 2010 successful, splendid and memorable, and establish a framework for an international center of economy, finance, trade and transport, make major progress toward building the city into a socialist modern international metropolis, lay a solid foundation for the city’s sustained socioeconomic growth during 2011-2020.

To readjust and optimize the economic structure; continuously improve the city level of information utilization, market-oriented operation and the rule by law; bring into play the comprehensive advantages of an international metropolis; and sharpen the city's comprehensive competitive edge.

The detailed targets include:

-- To keep economic growth at a sustained, fast and healthy rate;

-- To make breakthroughs in carrying out the policy of developing the city through science and education;

-- To improve remarkably the city’s comprehensive services;

-- To further improve citizens’living quality; and

-- To lead the country in building an environment that is more dynamic, more open and more geared up to the international practices.