Shanghai's "new aristocrats"

Who'd have thought it - it's easier for the Shanghai elite to reach "aristocrat" status than their counterparts in Beijing. According to the latest research by a special agency that tracks the wealthy, 51,000 people in China are qualified to be labeled "new aristocrats." However, while in Beijing this would require having at least 87 million yuan at your disposal, in Shanghai the same status can be achieved for the low price of only 84 million yuan! Supposedly, the standard Shanghai aristocrat cruises around in 1.75 million yuan Porsches, kept parked inside 22 million yuan homes that also house specially bred 100,000 RMB carps. The report also includes the qualifications to be considered "upper class" in four other Chinese cities. So if you're running low on your millions but still want to be an aristocrat, head to Shenyang, where you can achieve 'crat status by spending only 33 million yuan. Source: AsiaOne News