Editor's note: The article is based on an interview with John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.  

What should we call a place that is described with phrases like "large swathes of farmlands", "cramped living spaces" or "overgrown weeds"?

Villages, rural areas? Mostly, that's the first impression that comes to the mind.  

That's how Shanghai's Pudong New Area was portrayed in the 1990s. On April 18, 1990, the Central Committee of the Community Party of China and the State Council officially announced the development and opening-up of Pudong New Area, back then just vast stretches of farmland.  

The region has witnessed an extraordinary transformation in its 28-year journey.  Pudong has not only created miraculous growth but has also drawn attention from all over the world, reshaping itself to become an international financial and commercial center.  

"30 years ago, there was nothing in Pudong. However, today, it is a vibrant financial center with many manufacturing industries. It's tremendously successful", said John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics.

He credits the government's grand development vision, followed by institutional reforms and innovations that ensured the realization of such a miracle. The overall improvement in China's investment climate cannot be explained without mentioning Pudong.

In 1990, when China's reform and opening-up policy was implemented for 12 years, the then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, also the designer of China's opening-up policy, stressed development and opening-up of Pudong as Central government's yet another major move in deepening reforms and expansion of China's opening-up. 

One year later, former leader Deng explained the reason for developing Pudong as the financial and trade zone. "Finance is vital, and it is the core of the modern economy. Shanghai used to be a place where capital can be exchanged freely, and that will not change. China's international status in finance depends on Shanghai first."

In recent years, in accordance with the goal of accelerating the construction of a world-class financial city and a world-class central activity area, Pudong has created a skyline that is in harmony with that of the international community.

Pudong is also actively pursuing international first-class financial center such as London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Zurich, Washington, etc., learning from international advanced experience, and benchmarking international investment and trade rules.

Meanwhile, it is also promoting its international influence and competitiveness in the global market of finance and resource allocation through carrying out international cooperation and exchanging activities to enhance China's position and voice in the international financial system.

Being the country's first free trade zone, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, has been in the spotlight from day one of its inception.

In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping used a metaphor to describe the importance of the Zone during his inspection in Shanghai. 

"China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is a large experimental field which is necessary to sow seeds, carefully cultivate, manage, and expect it to have a satisfied harvest. Then we can promote the experience of cultivating good varieties."

Today, China has a total of 13 free trade zones.

Similarly, Pudong has played a leading role in China's free trade zone strategy, and the so-called Pudong Model has become a highly debated topic as whether and how it can be expanded to other parts of the country, such as central or western China.

Gong says, it is relatively difficult for such areas to follow the Pudong Model as they are less competitive in terms of attracting foreign investment, but there are some lessons that can help replicate institutional innovations of the Pudong Model.

"Pudong focused on manufacturing, science and technology. So for other cities, I think they have to really think what's their strategic industry is. Then, think big, think of a long-term developing blueprint with concrete measures."

28 years ago, the reformers planted a seed in Pudong, and the gardeners have cultivated it into a towering tree. Under the protection of the thick trunk of national support, the achievements of the Pudong New Area are like the expanding branches of a tree to bear more palatable fruits.

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