International Settlement (Shanghai)

The International Settlement in Shanghai was a foreign-controlled area established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where foreign powers operated with extraterritorial rights, separate from Chinese law. It functioned as a foreign enclave with its own administration, police, and infrastructure, facilitating international trade and economic activities. The Settlement was a hub for Western businesses and communities, contributing to Shanghai's growth as an international financial center. It existed until 1943, when it was merged into the broader Chinese governance during World War II. Today, the area contains historical sites reflecting this unique period of Shanghai’s development.