Robert Kuhn, a leading China expert and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, delivers a speech during a forum on "China's Economic Development and China-U.S. Relations" at Harvard University's famed Loeb House in Cambridge of Massachusetts, the United States, Oct. 15, 2018. Joint efforts have to be made by both the United States and China to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral cooperative ties, which are not only mutually beneficial but crucial for a stable world order, top American and Chinese experts said here Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

"Shanghai today is what China wants the whole country to be by 2050," said Robert Kuhn, a leading China expert and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, whose documentary series "China's Challenges" has won many awards such as the China News Award and an Emmy.

Kuhn said Shanghai's development can be "a model for understanding how China wants to develop," and explained how Shanghai has taken the opportunity of China's 40 years of reform and opening-up to become a world-leading international metropolis in the fields of finance, trade, logistics, infrastructure construction, education, and technology.

The first China International Import Expo, to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10 this year, further demonstrates to the world China's determination to continue to open its market and share its development achievements with the world, he said.

Kuhn believes the U.S.-China relationship should not be endangered by misperceptions, including a self-fulfilling prophecy of identifying malign motives in each other.

Over 100 international research experts and Harvard students attended the event organized by the China Institute of Fudan University themed "China's Economic Development and China-U.S. Relations."

An exhibition on "Amazing Shanghai" was on display during the forum, featuring photographs highlighting the rapid development of Shanghai's economy, culture and society since China's reform and opening-up 40 years ago.