No.7 Shanghai Tech Hotspots 2008

Shanghai, China

Why? China's business and tech hub

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What's so special about Shanghai?
Shanghai is China's business hub, vying with financial powerhouse Hong Kong as to which will end up as the country's overall economic engine.

But when it comes to technology and manufacturing, Shanghai might well have the edge. As Tech Hotspots judge Peter Cochrane notes, the city can boast the shortest time from concept to product - which makes it an attractive location for all things electronic.

Various tech giants - including BT and Cisco - have R&D labs in Shanghai, drawing on a substantial pool of engineering and software graduates. Intel recently held its flagship developer forum in the city, a change of scene from San Francisco.

Shanghai boasts a bewildering array of universities - some 17. And it is this local pool of up-and-coming talent that surely informs one judge's comment that the city is "coming up fast on India".

But, like the gleaming skyscrapers of its Pudong business district, Shanghai is still aspiring to greatness in many ways. For instance, its public transport infrastructure is limited; taxis remain the easier way of getting around.

Its skill-base is young too - tech graduates may be plentiful but finding experienced staff is more difficult. And then there is the politics of doing business in the People's Republic of China - which can take some of the shine off the city's global appeal, according to judge Luke Mellors.

Key tech companies Baidu, BT, Cisco, Dell, Google, HP, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Motorola, Philips, Siemens, Sina.com, ZTE.

Key institutions Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University, Fudan University.

Local salaries Senior software engineer $26,960.

Famous faces Shi Yuzhu, online gaming billionaire, noted as Shanghai's richest resident by Forbes' rich list.

Population 17 million.

iPod cost $180 Source: CommSec, Apple.

Time zone GMT +8 hours.

Voltage and plugs 220V 50Hz Various plug types including two-pin US style, oblique flat blade three-pin, UK-style three-pin, rounded three-pin.

How to get there The main airport for international flights is Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Watch out for Pickpockets. Counterfeit Y50 and Y100 notes. Congestion. Smog.

Places to stay, eat or drink Portman Ritz-Carlton, Hilton Shanghai Hotel, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai.

What you might not know An undersea cable is being planned to connect Shanghai to the US, boosting Sino-US communications capacity 160 times.