The compilation of 'Chronicles of Modern Shanghai' aims not only to record significant events and important matters in modern Shanghai encompassing politics, economy, military, culture, education, healthcare, religious beliefs, citizen life, social customs, and natural phenomena, but also to provide a brief account of nationwide events and events in other regions influenced by Shanghai. This allows readers to grasp the background and context of many events in modern Shanghai, facilitating a clearer understanding and convenient retrieval. Moreover, this historical account holds certain enlightening and instructive value for Shanghai, situated at the crossroads of the century, in its choices and endeavors toward constructing both socialist spiritual and material civilization.

编写《现代上海大事记》，不仅是为了记载现代上海的政治、经济、军事、文化、教育、卫生，乃至宗教信仰、市民生活、社会风俗，以及自然变异等诸方面的大事、要事，并简要记述发生在外地的全国性大事与外地因受上海影响而发生的事件，使读者对现代上海的诸多事件能够掌握来龙去脉，有比较清晰的了解和检索的方便。而且更因为这段历史进程对上海处在世纪之交的选择，对建设社会主义精神文明和物质文明，具有一定的启迪和借鉴。