This dissertation, "A Comparative Study of the Business Environment in Hong Kong and Shanghai" by Sau-man, Catherine, Ho, 何秀雯, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of Dissertation entitled A Comparative Study of the Business Environment in Hong Kong and Shanghai submitted by Ho Sau Man Catherine for the Degree of Master of Arts in China Area Studies at The University of Hong Kong in June 2003 As China's economic reform continues, Shanghai is emerging as the country's commercial and financial centre. China's accession to the WTO means that from 2001 onwards, more sectors will be opened to foreign operators, investors and producers. Consequently, Shanghai will become a gateway to the Chinese market. This creates a challenge for Hong Kong, which has always been the most important stepping stone from international investors' perspective. Through the examination of the economic condition, physical and social infrastructures in Shanghai and Hong Kong, this paper reviews the business environment of the two cities and discusses their attractiveness to foreign investors. The paper also attempts to identify the relative positions of Shanghai and Hong Kong and the possibilities that the two cities could benefit from each other as China continues to integrate with the world economy. DOI: 10.5353/th_b2674854