Wind Rises in the East, Daily Renewal - Observing the City, Culture, and Economy of Shanghai from the Perspective of Humanities and Economy
If you open a column:
To promote high-quality development, culture is an important pivot.
Since August 10, Xinhua News Agency has opened the column of "City Observation from the Perspective of Humanities and Economy", which fully shows that more and more cities in the new era and new journey, economic development and cultural prosperity are mutually reinforcing and mutually reinforcing, constantly expanding the path of Chinese path to modernization, and forming a fresh practice of new forms of human civilization.
The Huangpu River winds through, merges with the Yangtze River, and merges into the East China Sea. Shanghai, with its advantageous location, is the largest economic center city in the country.
Domestic large aircraft soar to the sky, domestic large cruise ships are officially docked, new energy vehicles are booming, and integrated circuit "chips" are thriving... These high-end manufacturing, independent manufacturing, and intelligent manufacturing fully demonstrate Shanghai's hard power as an economic center.
For ordinary people, Shanghai showcases more of a soft humanistic side: by the Huangpu River, countless households are lit up; Under the wutong tree, light and shadow are mottled. Whether it is traditional landmarks such as the Bund and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, or new online celebrity card counters such as Wukang Building and the North Bund, daily Shanghai tourists are swarming.
Shanghai is accelerating the construction of a socialist international cultural metropolis by cultivating red culture, Shanghai style culture, and Jiangnan cultural resources. Humanities and economy complement each other, and soft power and hard power complement each other, giving Shanghai a unique charm and providing inexhaustible driving force for urban development in the new era.
"One River, One River" Revitalization, Concentrated Shanghai Cultural Code
The rough dock transforms into an industrial style T-platform; The rusty old factory area has transformed from a butterfly into a dynamic artistic space; The previously fragmented riverbank has risen to become a "running paradise" for young people
The Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek, "one river and one river", gather the urban essence of Shanghai. Since 2017, the 45 kilometer shoreline of the core section of Huangpu River and the 42 kilometer shoreline of the central urban area of Suzhou River have been successively connected and opened up. The connection of "one river, one river" has become a vivid footnote in the construction of Shanghai's "People's City", from "not seeing the river along the river" to "being closer to the water".
The urban scenery of Shanghai captured from the Suzhou River Basin. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xiang
Urban development, people-oriented. The humanistic economy of the new era, with the ultimate goal of comprehensive human development, embodies the original intention of high-quality development.
Leave the best resources to the people——
Whether it is urban planning or construction, whether it is the construction of new urban areas or the renovation of old urban areas, we must adhere to putting the people at the center and focusing on the needs of the people.
On the east bank of the Huangpu River, the World Expo Cultural Park covers a total area of approximately 2 million square meters, with lush vegetation and surrounded by mountains and water. In addition to the reserved venues for the World Expo, the park also features the ancient and elegant Jiangnan garden "Shenyuan", as well as the cultural landmark Shanghai Grand Opera House. In order to meet the desire of citizens to observe and climb mountains, many technical difficulties have been overcome here, and a "Twin Mountains" with a height of over 40 meters has been built. The park is planned to be fully opened in 2024.
Overlooking the Chinese style garden of Shanghai World Expo Cultural Park located in Pudong New Area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fang Zhe
Every inch of land in Binjiang is worth every penny, with a super large area of nearly 2 square kilometers and a market value of at least 100 billion yuan. However, Shanghai's choice is not to build commercial buildings or engage in large-scale development, but to build parks and green spaces, allowing citizens and tourists to climb mountains, view rivers, and take a leisurely stroll.
Against the backdrop of the Huangpu River, the Suzhou River runs through densely populated areas, with more precise strokes. The Suzhou River has the longest coastline in Putuo District, reaching 21 kilometers, which is exactly the distance of a half marathon. Jiang Dongdong, Secretary of the Putuo District Party Committee, said, "We are improving the quality and taste of public spaces, creating high aesthetic and high-energy 'urban living rooms', and exploring the century old industrial civilization and historical heritage, carefully depicting a meticulous painting of the' Half Ma Su River '."
The 2023 Shanghai Suzhou River Half Marathon will start with a firing gun in Putuo District. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xin Mengchen
"One River, One River" is a microcosm. Leaving the best resources to the people and constructing high-quality cultural facilities and public spaces in the most core areas has become the fundamental principle for the development of Shanghai in the new era.
Creating high-quality development samples in the most beautiful places——
The flourishing of culture and economic prosperity have always been a mutually reinforcing and shining relationship. A city of culture is often also a livable and innovative city.
Standing on the 45th floor of the Wisdom Tower on the west bank of Xuhui Binjiang, one can have a clear view of the shimmering Huangpu River. Nearby, there is the Oil Tank Art Center and Alibaba's Shanghai headquarters office, which were transformed from Longhua Airport's oil storage tanks. In the distance, the historic Longhua Tower stands tall and beautiful, and the West Bank Financial City with a total investment of over 60 billion yuan is busy under construction. Tradition and modernity, culture and economy have achieved a fusion of water and milk on the banks of the Huangpu River.
The exhibition "The Painting of the Origin - Surrealism and the East" opened at the West Bank Art Museum in Xuhui Binjiang at the end of April 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ren Long
"The development of the riverside area in Xuhui follows the concept of 'cultural leadership, science and technology innovation leadership'." Zhao Yi, member of the Standing Committee of the Xuhui District Committee and Minister of Propaganda, said that including the Star Art Museum, Dragon Art Museum, West Coast Art Museum, etc., the art museum avenue in Xuhui's riverside area has emerged, becoming a highland for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.
The outstanding cultural environment and public space quality have formed a strong magnetic attraction for talents from all walks of life, and also supported the development of the science and technology innovation industry. In 2022, the total output of the artificial intelligence related industry cluster in Xuhui District was 70.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 18.4%. During the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, Xuhui released 15 measures to support the development of generative artificial intelligence.
The integration of red culture, Shanghai style culture, and Jiangnan culture creates a new urban civilization
The cultural characteristics of a city are the most prominent symbol that sets it apart from other cities, and it is also the source of charm for a city of culture.
There is not only the infiltration of Jiangnan culture for thousands of years, but also the Shanghai style culture of the intersection of China and the West since modern times. Shanghai is the birthplace of the CPC and the birthplace of the labor movement, 612 red landmarks, and more than 30 sites of the former site of the CPC Central Committee in the early days of Shanghai, making the red culture the spiritual background of the city.
The outdoor scene of the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, filmed on June 9, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Ying
"Shanghai should adhere to creative transformation and innovative development, actively explore more creative ways to 'open up' traditional historical and cultural heritage, and promote further 'revitalization' and 'fire up' of cultural heritage." Zhao Jiaming, member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Minister of Propaganda, said that the Shanghai literary and artistic front should focus on big works, produce big productions, and create big IPs, continuously strengthening the 'dock', activating the 'source', and bravely standing at the 'forefront'.
Continuously polishing the "Shanghai Culture" brand——
Rivers flow with brilliant light and shadow. In early June this year, the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival opened. As the only international A-class film festival in China, the Shanghai International Film Festival has been around for 30 years.
Shanghai is the birthplace of Chinese cinema, contributing a large number of classic works. On New Year's Day this year, Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio and Bilibili jointly launched "Chinese Strange Tales", which became a phenomenon level animation.
On June 9, 2023, the judges of the "Main Competition Unit" of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Earl Awards made their debut. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xin Mengchen
"In the past three years, Shanghai Film Group's works have covered a full range of categories, including movies, TV dramas, animations, audio dramas, and online content, forming a creative matrix that brings audiences a 'series of good performances'," said Wang Jianer, Chairman of Shanghai Film Group.
In the process of building a socialist international cultural metropolis, Shanghai has entered a new era, continuously activating its cultural context, drawing nourishment and wisdom from excellent traditional Chinese culture, and forging a new urban civilization.
Continuously innovating ways to open up cultural resources——
With the swaying tree shadows and red brick exterior walls, walking into Shanghai's Wukang Road and Anfu Road, time seems to have slowed down suddenly.
The Wukang Road Anfu Road, with a total length of over 1500 meters, is located in the largest historical landscape protection area in Shanghai - Hengfu Landscape Area. From the uniquely designed Wukang Building, to the former residences of celebrities such as Huang Xing and Ba Jin, and then to the Shanghai Drama Art Center, this block exudes a strong cultural atmosphere, becoming a place where young people compete to check in.
"We used to focus on online sales, and in 2021, we opened our first offline store on Anfu Road to appreciate the cultural atmosphere here." Liang Xiao, the PR manager of Sandun Half, a new consumer brand famous for instant freeze-dried coffee, said that watching a play, strolling the street, and drinking a cup of coffee on Anfu Road on Wukang Road has become a daily choice for many people.
There are still over 140 shops like San Dun and a half on Wukang Road and Anfu Road. "Experience the latest trends in consumption in the most classical houses. According to our statistics, over 85% of the enterprises settled in the neighborhood are newly established independent brands in recent years," said Yang Haiying, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Hunan Street in Xuhui District. Relying on the integration of "form, format, and culture", Wukang Road and Anfu Road are moving from a historical landscape protection zone to a "new consumption highland".
Tourists take photos in front of the Wukang Building in Shanghai. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xin Mengchen
Vigorously promoting the "going global" of Chinese culture——
In April this year, Qidian Chinese, a subsidiary of Yuewen Group headquartered in Shanghai, received a letter from a Japanese reader addressed to the author of "Apocalypse Forecast", Feng Yue. Full 4 pages, all handwritten in Chinese characters.
According to Yang Chen, the editor in chief of Yuewen Group, as of the end of 2022, the international version of Qidian has launched about 2900 translated works of Chinese online literature, trained about 340000 overseas online writers, and attracted about 170 million visitors to the online literature market. "Regardless of the language, stories can carry dreams, transcend cultural differences, and win more love."
Including reading articles, many cultural enterprises in Shanghai have become the main force for Chinese culture to go global. Statistics show that the total import and export value of cultural products and services in Shanghai exceeded 100 billion yuan for the first time in 2021, with a year-on-year increase of over 50%.
Bilibili has over 47 million overseas users, a year-on-year increase of 171%; The Shanghai produced "Flipping King's Chess" became China's first "going out to sea" musical; The game "Genshin Impact" produced by Shanghai enterprise Mihayou has been launched in more than 100 countries and regions around the world
Empowering high-quality development with a humanistic background and shaping stronger urban core competitiveness
In the first half of this year, Shanghai achieved a regional GDP of 2139 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%, and its economic output continued to maintain the top position among cities in the country. With the continuous promotion of the construction of international economic, financial, trade, shipping, and technological innovation centers, Shanghai's hard power is still growing. In accordance with the requirements of building a socialist modern international metropolis with global influence, Shanghai is vigorously enhancing its urban soft power.
"Observing astronomy to observe changes in time; observing humanities to transform the world." The governments at all levels in Shanghai have a clear understanding that culture is the core resource that reflects urban competitiveness, and its integration into various fields of economic and social development plays a subtle role in promoting urban development.
Practice humanistic economics and build a solid foundation for development with spiritual character——
"Big Shanghai" is a friendly term used by people to refer to Shanghai. Where is Shanghai really big? Wise people believe that urban spirit and character are important supports for it.
Overlooking the intersection of Suzhou River and Huangpu River from the air. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fang Zhe
Under the nourishment of profound culture, the urban spirit of "embracing all rivers, pursuing excellence, being open-minded and wise, and being magnanimous and humble" and the urban character of "openness, innovation, and inclusiveness" have become the most fundamental, profound, and enduring driving force for Shanghai's development.
Place one's own development in the strategic positioning of the central government for Shanghai's development, under the trend of economic globalization, in the overall development pattern of the country, and in the overall deployment of the country for the development of the Yangtze River Delta region, and reflect and plan on the "Four Places" to showcase the overall pattern of Shanghai; Continuously hosting the China International Import Expo and building a world-class cluster of photon science facilities, Shanghai provides a large platform for national open innovation; Actively promoting the integration of the Yangtze River Delta, building a leading area for socialist modernization construction in Pudong, and conducting high-level stress tests in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and Lingang New Area, Shanghai has taken on a major task in the national reform and opening up.
The urban spirit and character deeply influence every person living within it. He Dongfeng, Chairman of COMAC, has been working in Shanghai for many years. In his view, behind the soaring of domestically produced large aircraft is the hard work and dedication of COMAC employees. "This refined style and serious attitude continue to empower Shanghai's unique cultural heritage."
Practicing Humanities and Economics, Collaborating Soft and Hard to Enhance Core Competitiveness——
The power of culture can be transformed into material power, and the soft power of culture can be transformed into the hard power of economy. This dialectic is vividly practiced everywhere in Shanghai.
Many young people choose Shanghai because of its clear rules, fair competition, adherence to rules, and tolerance for innovation; In public places, people often line up quietly, presenting a "beauty of order"; For many internet celebrity small shops, the government provides "temporary registration" services, which are both popular and not disruptive to the public
"Shanghai is a place where top talents can easily stay," said Wang Lei, Global Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca. "Whether it's the living environment, legal environment, or government services, Shanghai gives foreign enterprises enough confidence.".
On November 6, 2022, the 2022 China International Import Expo Exhibitor Alliance Conference was held in Shanghai. This is the signing ceremony for the 6th CIIE exhibitors during the conference. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fang Zhe
Including AstraZeneca, as of the first half of this year, Shanghai has 922 regional headquarters and 544 foreign-funded research and development centers, respectively, ranking first among cities in the country in both indicators. Shanghai remains one of the most attractive investment hotspots in the world.
"Soft power and hard power are internally unified in the comprehensive strength of the city, complementary and relatively independent." Shanghai clearly stated, "Only when soft and hard power work together can a stronger urban core competitiveness be formed."
All rivers come from different sources, but they all belong to the sea.
"Let the people who are here feel comfortable, the people who are coming to be happy, and the people who are coming to the future feel moved". Under the vision of humanistic economy, Shanghai is presenting a vivid picture of a hot land for doing business and a happy life paradise, and actively being a pioneer of "Chinese path to modernization".
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