During the Expo, a Shanghai to highlight the rising global ambitions will soon debut a new landmark in Shanghai: one exactly like the Wall Street "financial beef" has more momentum in the "Financial cow" statue. Compared to the U.S. "financial beef," this statue in front of the historic Bund seems to be more lively. It will stand as a symbol marking the city's noble dream to become a world financial center. Over the unexpected six-month World Expo period, these ambitions will be greatly enhanced. The Expo will have 192 countries coming here to show their best side to large numbers of visitors. "The Shanghai World Expo will help improve the image of the world. It is an opportunity to display China’s achievements," Dean of Fudan University, Lu Xiongwen (phonetic) said, "A successful World Expo will bring great resources and confidence."
China’s central government has already announced that by 2020, they plan to build an international business center in this long-standing commercial heart of the city. The Expo, following the success of the Beijing Olympics, is yet another display of the growing power of China, seen as an opportunity to accelerate Shanghai towards achieving its goals. Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng told reporters last month that "the completion of a world financial center, Shanghai will achieve major breakthroughs this year."
According to reports, the city invested four hundred billion yuan prior to the Expo for infrastructure construction. It added hundreds of kilometers of new tracks to the subway system, constructed a new airport terminal, and also repaired the Bund - those historic buildings along the Yangtze River where foreign forces once had control over the city. With China emerging from the financial crisis, in the few weeks before the opening of the World Expo, Shanghai’s stock market also saw a great change. Shanghai has introduced short selling, margin trading, and stock index futures, providing investors with more complex investment options. Outside the Shanghai Stock Exchange, it is expected that this year will see the first overseas listed companies. HSBC has indicated it hopes to become the first foreign company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Founded in the 19th century, this banking giant helped make the Bund the "Asian Wall Street." Standard Chartered economist Stephen Green said, "As the crisis has subsided, the difficulties have also been freed, there are many signs showing that the regulator is studying how to promote things progress."