It is learned from the Exhibition of Achievements by Shanghai's Returned Chinese Students that Shanghai has absorbed 17,000 returned Chinese students since the launch of the reform and opening program.

While doing pioneering work in Shanghai, these students have made outstanding contributions to the city's economic development and social progress. The number of returned students accepted by Shanghai accounts for one-sixth of the national total.

People are used to calling students going abroad for study before the 1930s and those of the 1950s and 1960s as the first and second generations of students, and those going abroad for study after the start of reform and opening up as the third generation. Relevant materials indicate that there were about 320,000 people sent to various parts of the world for study after the start of reform and opening, and 110,000 of them have been back after completing their courses. They have become a new force pushing China's economy to the world. Some of them regard Shanghai as their footholds to develop their career. Statistics show that they have set up 750 enterprises in Shanghai, and many of them have become key members in Shanghai's high-tech field. Some said they selected Shanghai because the municipality has properly implemented the State policy of supporting students in studying overseas, encouraging them to return home and allowing them to come and go freely.

According to information from the exhibition, there are 1920 returned students in Shanghai who have been granted "special government allowance", accounting for one-fourth of those enjoying such allowance in Shanghai; 125 such students who have won the title "young and middle-aged State-level experts who have made outstanding contribution", representing a little over one-third of the total number;; 68 serve as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in Shanghai, exceeding half of all academicians in the city.

Concerned departments in Shanghai have provided these students with a flexible policy for them to start their business and a better living environment. For example, they have set up five business-pioneering parks, attracted high technology, and other R&D projects that can fill out the gap in the domestic market. At present, 2980 people have been put in charge of State-class projects, 4171 in charge of ministerial or Shanghai municipal-class projects.