The coastal area abounds in resources of fish and salt. Shanghai is endowed with favourable geographical and natural conditions, and a long history of development. It has a Well-developed commodity economy and comparatively high scientific and technological level. As the biggest industrial centre in China, Shanghai ranks first in the value of its industrial production, as compared with other Chinese cities. Its main industry includes metallurgy, chemicals, petroleum, machinery, automobiles, electronics, shipbuilding, light industry, textiles, electrical appliances, and other industries, which hold an important position in Chins.
Shanghai is the chief producer of industrial goods, and a major export base in China as well.
The Pudong Development Area in Shanghai is an important special economic zone in China. The level of the new area's industry, commerce, finance, trade, post and telecommunications stands at the forefront in China. More than 130 buildings there are higher than a hundred metres. As the most prosperous business center in China, Shanghai leads all the others in both social commodity's total volume of retail sales and export value. In recent years, it has made rapid progress in finance and banking service, and stands only next to Beijing, as one of the main financial centres in China.