ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the early decision-making around ‘developing and opening Pudong’ by China’s reformist leader Deng Xiaoping, in alliance with then Shanghai leader Zhu Rongji. It situates an understanding of this strategic decision within the context of China’s political and economic landscape after the Tiananmen Square Incident in June 1989 and aligns this decision with Deng Xiaoping’s political will to relaunch his agenda for China’s ‘reform and opening-up’ in the early 1990s. This chapter examines the major approaches to development zones in Pudong in terms of financing, planning, and international learning; and the favourable policies and special governance arrangements that have been in place for Pudong ever since. The story of Pudong’s development is heroic and moving, involving bold vision, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, innovation, and persistent commitment, within the constraints of funding shortages, lack of know-how, and an initially quite uncertain environment.
