Eleven town mayors of Metro Manila, the national region of the Philippines, and one from Rizal Province in the north are taking a trip to Shanghai, China, on Tuesday.

These mayors will joint Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin Abalos on his trip to the most urbanized city of China to "instill his vision of the metropolis on the local government officials," the Philippine Star on-line news reported on Tuesday.

Abalos said that he was impressed by the development of Shanghai from a rural to industrialized city during his last trip with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband Mike Arroyo last year.

The report quoted Abalos as saying that he would particularly focus on the part of Yangtze River in Shanghai which was supposedly worse off than the Pasig River in Manila in terms of pollution but has been rehabilitated to its former glory.

The three-day trip to Shanghai would be attended by majority of the mayors in Metro Manila, accompanies by Mike Arroyo.

Abalos pointed out the old part of Shanghai is featured as a tourist attraction that generates many visits daily. The MMDA's development plan for Metro Manila also includes the promotion of the different areas in the city into tourist spots.

"We want to revive the old industries. When people start going to your area, that's already development," Abalos said on the hosting of the tourist attraction.

Shanghai is the biggest and most populous city in China, whose vigorous economy has been an powerful propeller for the nation's development since the foundation of the People's Republic. The city is now a major tourist attraction to overseas sightseers and a host of many significant international meetings.

( People's Daily March 12, 2002)