Ravi, in Conversation

Don't ignore the new New York! Daniel Craig's skyscraper stunts in "SkyFall" sent many a raised eyebrow in search of Shanghai. Initially passed of as a fad, people are now taking Shanghai's revival seriously. A few takeaways from the video:

1. Women: They are the heart and soul of the new China. Though for the bad human rights record, it's women who lead so many of the businesses and as they say, they are respected. Not surprising since I see my female Chinese acquaintances to be more competitive, focused and assertive than the males. It's wise for China to put women in control of a growing economy.

2. National pride: The government might clamp down on personal freedom, but still people do not care to give up something to see their country growing. The lack of other dividing factors like political and religious allegiances takes the country in just one direction - Up!

3. Well-informed residents: Speaking English confidently, the new generation in China is well in touch with what's going on around them even though social media is regulated. The day is not far when the youth will make China rethink its policies and see social media as a friend and feedback agent.

4. Positivity and Growth: Shanghai has a lot of the richest people in the world, and a growing population, ready to consume more and more. People are generally positive about the economy and the way it's growing, however stage-managed it may be. I'm bullish about the Shanghai economy for the next 20 years at least and would move in here without hesitation if I ever got a chance. I hope environmental concerns will be taken seriously, and China will lead in implementing sustainable development, learning from the West's past mistakes. A little less plastic from China can make such a lot of difference because it goes out into the world!

5. Blend of the East and West: T'ai Chi and Chinese-dressed Barbie dolls meet Western wine and plastic surgery - Shanghai is definitely trying to be cosmopolitan, and invite the world to come to it.

6. Shipping from Shanghai: A strong seaport is still the best qualifier for a great city. Landlocked cities never can steal their position. Chinese trade has a lot of room to expand, and so does the city's growth.

7. Media: If they kick Piers Morgan out of the US, he sure has places to go to, where he will be welcome - imagine Chinese media and broadcasting (also, propaganda) taking over the world! Topic for a new write-up, but this is the new revolution waiting to happen (I did notice the Xinhua billboard at Times Square last May! See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18437404) - watch out News Corp / Time Warner and all the mega-entertaintment studios (remember, AMC acquisitons?)!