Over 70 percent of foreigners said they enjoy life and work in Shanghai, China's biggest metropolis, according to a local survey.

The survey, "Shanghai seen by foreigners", conducted by the Shanghai Municipal Quality Association, polled 412 foreigners from 28 countries and regions. Sixty percent of them are from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.

About 74 percent of the respondents said they enjoy life and work in Shanghai as the city is catching up with top-class cities in other parts of the world.

The survey found that 61.1 percent are deeply impressed with the city's fast economic growth, especially in the service sector. It also said nearly 40 percent are satisfied with its improving transport services.

Four out of five foreigners enjoy the cheap, delicious traditional food and like the kind, elegant city residents. In the eyes of those visiting Shanghai for the first time, the city is a paradise for shopping and entertainment, the survey said.

However, many foreigners said that a bigger effort should be made to clean the air, expand green areas and improve sanitary habits.

About 100,000 foreigners now live and work in Shanghai, according to the municipal labor and social security bureau.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2006)