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  <title><![CDATA[Shanghai Daily: Metro]]></title> 
  <link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/</link> 
  <description><![CDATA[Shanghai Daily Metro]]></description> 
  <language>en</language>
  <copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2001-2021 Shanghai Daily Publishing House]]></copyright>
  <webMaster><![CDATA[ShanghaiDaily]]></webMaster>
  
    
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/City-spruces-up-for-Lunar-New-Year/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>City spruces up for Lunar New Year</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:04:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Shanghai Disney Resort

As the Year of the Snake draws near, Shanghai Disney Resort is inviting people to celebrate the occasion with a variety of festive activities, refreshed decorations, and new experiences!

Embrace ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Shanghai Disney Resort

As the Year of the Snake draws near, Shanghai Disney Resort is inviting people to celebrate the occasion with a variety of festive activities, refreshed decorations, and new experiences!

Embrace the magic of the Year of the Snake at the resort with Join Gary, the charming snake from Zootopia 2, in a festive extravaganza filled with themed decorations and exclusive shows.

The resort has been adorned with snake-themed decorations, Chinese lanterns and splashes of red and gold, symbolizing luck and prosperity.

&nbsp;

Date: Through February 14

Address: 310 Huangzhao Road, Pudong

浦东新区黄赵路310号

Yuyuan Garden Malls

The iconic dazzling Yuyuan Lantern Fair ushered in 2025 with a display of light and artistry.

The theme, &ldquo;Mountain and Sea: A Jungle Story,&rdquo; marks the fair&rsquo;s 30th edition. Visitors can explore a world where ancient myths merge with modern artistry, with colorful lanterns depicting legendary beasts.

Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official platforms Piaoxingqiu app or mini-program. For regular days (Monday-Thursday, February 7): Adult: 50 yuan (US$6.8); Child: 30 yuan. For peak days (Friday-Sunday, January 29&ndash;February 4, February 12): Adult: 80 yuan; Child: 50 yuan

&nbsp;

Date: Through February 12

Address: 265 Fangbang Rd M, Huangpu District

黄浦区方浜中路265号

Shanghai Changfeng Ocean Park

It is a paradise for children!

The newly renovated &ldquo;Boulder Beach&rdquo; at the park accurately replicates the penguins&rsquo; natural habitat, showcasing the differences between day and night rotation.

There are also immersive interactive experiences to add to the fun. Visitors can press a button to experience various climate simulations, including the surprising moments of wind and rain, as well as exploring waterfalls, caves, and the special paths where penguins walk.

The park has also been equipped with special joystick TVs, allowing children to zoom in or out according to their preferences, or crawl through tunnels to take close-up photos with penguins.

&nbsp;

Address: 451 Daduhe Road, Putuo District

普陀区大渡河路451号

Panlong Tiandi

Panlong Tiandi, a renewal and upgrade of the ancient Panlong Town in suburban Qingpu District, has been illuminated by a dazzling light extravaganza.

To usher in the Year of the Snake, Panlong Tiandi presents a giant waterborne snake lantern amidst the waterways of the Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) region.

The spirit snake twines through the ancient Xianghua Bridge of Panlong, which has stood for a thousand years. The streets and bridges of Panlong are adorned with 1,000 snake-shaped lanterns.

&nbsp;

Date: Through February 4, February 12-16

Address: No. 8, Lane 123, Panding Road, Qingpu District

青浦区蟠鼎路123弄8号

Shanghai Happy Valley

Shanghai Happy Valley will launch a series of Chinese New Year activities, starting today.

Visitors can appreciate the fire pot performance up close and feel the charm of the Chinese cultural heritage. Passionate and thrilling Chinese warrior dances will also be performed.

Moreover, the Spring Festival music fireworks show will illuminate the skies of the amusement park for six consecutive days, inviting people to celebrate the Spring Festival together under the dazzling fireworks.

 Date: Through February 16

Address: 888 Linhu Road, Songjiang District

松江区林湖路888号

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

The park will host a fun Dragon Palace Fairy Festival, showcasing five major intangible cultural heritage items, namely bench snake performance, Minnan deities&rsquo; parade, &ldquo;Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea&rdquo; color boat show, flower lanterns, and fire pots performance.

The colorful boats, in various animal shapes such as phoenix and whale, will be adorned with lanterns and performances based on Chinese mythology will be staged on them.

There will also be an animal-themed Spring Festival parade, and fireworks will be set off for seven consecutive days during the festival, so all can enjoy a romantic year with firework shows!

&nbsp;

Date: January 29-February 4

Address: 166 Yinfei Road, Pudong

浦东新区银飞路166号

Shanghai Film Park

Relying on professional film set technology and performances, five movie and TV drama scenes will be recreated at the park.

Visitors can follow a snake-shaped route to tour a simulated Nanjing Road, the Shiliupu Wharf, the Paramount theater, shikumen (local stone-gate houses), and the Jing&rsquo;an Temple Road Caf&eacute;, experiencing the unique New Year flavor and cultural charm of Shanghai&rsquo;s iconic Bund.

Spring Festival lion dances, a trip back to 1990, New Year snowy scenery, stage performances, and melton iron flower shows will usher in a unique Shanghai-style Year of the Snake!

&nbsp;

Address: 211 Cheting Highway, Songjiang District

松江区车亭公路211号

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

A series of festive activities will be rolled out in the ancient town, featuring dragon dances with traditional Jiangnan sizhu (string and wind music).

There are also auspicious lion dances with fortune blessings, the &ldquo;God of Wealth&rdquo; parade, and an intangible cultural heritage bazaar themed on the Year of the Snake.

Moreover, the World Lighthouse Stamp Exhibition has opened at Qing Post Office, a signature attraction of Zhujiajiao, displaying 28 types of 155 stamps from around the world.

&nbsp;

Address: 555 Kezhiyuan Road, Qingpu District

青浦区课植园路555号

Shanghai Romance Park

Through the holiday, the park will bring tourists a unique experience with fire shows, cultural heritage displays, and Shanghai-style operas, offering an unforgettable audiovisual feast for visitors.

Fire pots, fire knives, fire sticks, and fire-breathing dances... The tourist attraction will bring together diverse fire cultures from all over the country, offering visitors a real and exciting fire celebration, igniting &ldquo;Chinese-style&rdquo; romance and passion.

A Spring Festival cultural heritage concert, the puppet show &ldquo;Wonderful Night at the Puppet Museum,&rdquo; and the &ldquo;Fish Leaping New Spring Parade&rdquo; are all on the menu.

A cultural heritage bazaar will be hosted, with activities such as rubbing, sugar painting, and lantern making.

&nbsp;

Date: January 29-February 4

Address: 1750 Century Avenue, Pudong

浦东新区世博大道1750号

Guyi Garden

Guyi Garden is cooking up a feast of cultural heritage with China&rsquo;s 12 huashen (flower goddesses) taking the spotlight.

Stepping into the Jiangnan-style garden is like embarking on a journey through time.

The Twelve Flower Deities will pluck silk strings, recite poetry, or dance, performing with floral instruments to create an ancient charm. The garden uses traditional five main musical notes used in ancient Chinese music &mdash; gong, shang, jue, zhi and yu &mdash; to connect five major areas, blending auspicious elements with the joyous New Year atmosphere.

 Address: 218 Huyi Highway, Jiading District

嘉定区沪宜公路218号

Shanghai Museum East

&ldquo;Masterpieces of the Pola Museum of Art: From Impressionism to Contemporary Art&rdquo; is on at the museum. The fifth exhibition of the museum&rsquo;s project &ldquo;A Dialogue with the World,&rdquo; it is also the first large-scale overseas exhibition of Japan&rsquo;s Pola Museum of Art.

The exhibition not only presents the achievements of Impressionism in capturing the beauty of the moment, but also explores its continuity in Fauvism, Cubism and contemporary art. It features 69 masterpieces by 36 artists.

Tickets are priced at 80 yuan and can be bought at the museum&rsquo;s WeChat mini program and its WeChat official account.

&nbsp;

Date: Through April 21

Address: 1952 Century Avenue, Pudong

浦东新区世纪大道1952号

Shanghai No. 1 Shopping Center

A unique exhibition is unfolding on Shanghai&rsquo;s Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, known as the &ldquo;First Street of China.&rdquo;

Nearly a hundred old objects from local shikumen houses, replete with the vagaries of time, outline the trajectory of changes in the family life of Shanghainese and are displayed in eight exhibition areas of the Shanghai No. 1 Shopping Center, the first state-owned department store, allowing visitors to reminisce about the passage of time.

The laughter associated with the rusty White Rabbit milk candy box, the bustling sound of the Butterfly sewing machine, and the &ldquo;knightly&rdquo; style on the Phoenix bicycle with license plate and tax number... all are objects that a local family has gone through together for years.

People will also find old stamps, invoices, television sets, and wooden cases.

Here, each old object is no longer a cold item, but a piece of warm memory, a bridge connecting the past and the future.

&nbsp;

Date: Through March 31

Address: 830 Nanjing Rd E., Huangpu District

黄浦区南京东路830号

Shanghai Museum

The &ldquo;Slithering into Spring &mdash; A Celebration of the Year of the Snake&rdquo; exhibition at Shanghai Museum boasts 13 groups of Chinese and foreign cultural relics and tries to give visitors an insight into the snake legend in Chinese history.

One of the highlights is a &ldquo;Rubbing of Stone Relief with Fuxi and Nuwa Holding the Sun and the Moon.&rdquo; The stone is from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).

&nbsp;

Dates: Through March 2

Address: 201 People&rsquo;s Avenue, Huangpu District

黄浦区人民大道201号

Chenshan Botanical Garden

Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden has been turned into a sea of flowers as it ushers in the festival with a spring flower exhibition.

Peonies and alpine azaleas are the main flowers, surrounding traditional Chinese Spring Festival elements.

The flower exhibition is themed around the &ldquo;serpent,&rdquo; with four major exhibition areas.

One of the main areas will display 35 varieties of yellow and black peonies, as well as colored peonies. In addition, uniquely shaped and multi-layered tropical flowers such as lantana and hibiscus have been selected to complement the peonies, creating a distinctive and vibrant style.

&nbsp;

Date: Through February 16

Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District

松江区辰花公路3888号

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Law-for-all-Constitution-Week-kicks-off/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Law for all: Constitution Week kicks off</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 10:25:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Zhou Weiran]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[AS the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 75th anniversary, Shanghai has launched a series of Constitution publicity campaigns during its 36th Constitution Week, aligning with the 11th National ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		AS the People&rsquo;s Republic of China celebrates its 75th anniversary, Shanghai has launched a series of Constitution publicity campaigns during its 36th Constitution Week, aligning with the 11th National Constitution Day on December 4.

Kicking off the Constitution Week was the 8th Shanghai Corporate Legal Skills Competition, which emphasized the critical role of compliance awareness and the adherence to legal standards in corporate management.

This innovative competition adopted a dual-format approach, including a &ldquo;Compliance Knowledge Contest&rdquo; and a &ldquo;Corporate Compliance Case Study,&rdquo; to keep pace with the evolving landscape of corporate legal work.

The team competition segment showcases outstanding compliance cases that serve as shareable, referenceable models for replication, and the individual segment enhances understanding of compliance principles, boosting corporate culture.

The competition has drown participants from both Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region, promoting an exchange of corporate legal insights across the region.

Beyond the corporate sphere, these legal awareness efforts extend to other vulnerable groups too, such as the elderly.

The Shanghai Senior Healthcare Group, in partnership with the local residential committees, hosted an event at a nursing home in Pudong. Family legal advisors provided comprehensive answers to the elderly&rsquo;s concerns about property inheritance, will establishment, and the prevention of elderly fraud.

They simplified complex legal matters using engaging language, making legal knowledge more accessible.

&ldquo;Legal Classes&rdquo; were also conducted for the elderly, ensuring they can enjoy their golden years with the protection of the law.

In recent years, the digital economy has given rise to a new workforce, with the number of new forms of employment in China reaching 84 million in 2024, accounting for about 21 percent of the total workforce.

This group covers wide walks of life including delivery couriers, ride-hailing drivers, truck drivers, domestic service workers, and digital content creators.

To serve this huge workforce, the Shanghai Municipal Trade Union Council launched the &ldquo;2025 Legal Services Action for New Forms of Employment,&rdquo; which provides legal services online via the &ldquo;Suishenban&rdquo; app (随申办), as well as 329 offline sites.

With plans for 100 special events next year, the initiative aims to serve at least 200,000 workers from new forms of employment and provide legal aid services, including negotiation, mediation, and case representation, for at least 1,000 instances.

Through these initiatives, Shanghai has demonstrated its dedication to equipping all segments of society, from the elderly to the modern workforce, with the legal knowledge necessary to navigate their rights and responsibilities.

As Shanghai continues to evolve, these efforts will be the cornerstone of its progress, ensuring that the city&rsquo;s development is underpinned by a strong foundation of justice and the rule of law.

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	<item>
		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Celebrating-the-journey-embracing-the-future/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Celebrating the journey, embracing the future</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Shanghai Daily turns 25 today, and as we prepare to uncork the celebratory champagne, we look back on a quarter century of journalistic excellence. Recent years have seen significant technological advancements,]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Shanghai Daily turns 25 today, and as we prepare to uncork the celebratory champagne, we look back on a quarter century of journalistic excellence. Recent years have seen significant technological advancements, the evolution of multimedia, the rise of social media, and the unprecedented modernization of the city.Our publication has kept pace with these rapid changes and has actively contributed to shaping the discourse around them, reinforcing its position as a trusted voice in an ever-changing world.We started as a print media with a group of journalists committed to delivering high-caliber news, insightful analysis, and engaging commentary, covering everything from local community issues to national and international news. But as the world progressed, so did we, consistently embracing changes.As Shanghai grew into an economic powerhouse, it became clear that we were entering a new era of media opportunities. New technology, social media and multimedia formats changed how people absorbed information, and our newspaper adapted to the changing times. Recognizing that the future of journalism is in blending traditional reporting with modern, dynamic storytelling, we expanded our digital footprint to include interactive stories, video documentaries, and livestreaming interviews. This not only broadened our reach but also provided our readers with new ways to interact with us.With the explosion of social media, we embraced X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for a global outreach. We gave our readers a bird’s-eye view of Shanghai’s transformation to highlight how technology was driving change and empowering ordinary people, not just investors and entrepreneurs, to lead better lives. The past 25 years have truly been a remarkable journey. Celebrating this milestone, we feel a deep sense of pride in our legacy and look forward to the future with anticipation. The communities we serve, our partners, and our readers have all been tremendously supportive, and we are truly grateful to each and every one of them. Looking ahead, we will continue to highlight the inspiring human stories that often get lost in the headlines! We hope you will stay with us, just as you have for the past 25 years.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/A-doctor-his-camera-and-the-transformation-of-Shanghai/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>A doctor, his camera and the transformation of Shanghai</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Yang Jian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Fujita Kosuke has accompanied Shanghai on the city’s dynamic journey to becoming a modern global metropolis. He has chronicled it all.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Fujita Kosuke has accompanied Shanghai on the city’s dynamic journey to becoming a modern global metropolis. He has chronicled it all.In the transition from a young Japanese student to a respected doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, he has taken some 200,000 photographs documenting the then and now of urban transformation.“Shanghai’s development is unlike anything I’ve seen before,” he said in fluent Mandarin. “The city is always changing, always moving forward. Living here, you are part of that growth. It’s not just witnessing it from the outside; you’re woven into the fabric.”As a doctor, he now serves locals and the expatriate community in both Changning and Pudong, offering a blend of traditional Chinese and modern Western medical practices, mainly to Japanese expats and even to patients from abroad.When Fujita first set foot in Shanghai in 1996, the city was a far cry from the urban center it is today. Amid sweltering September heat, he arrived at an antiquated Hongqiao Airport and a city teeming with crowds of people and black-market taxis.It was “chaotic and overwhelming,” he told Shanghai Daily. “But there was an undeniable energy — a sense of life pulsing through the streets that I found intriguing, even if it was a bit daunting at first.”Back then, Shanghai’s modern infrastructure was still in its infancy. The city’s subway system comprised just one short line, and the streets were crowded with buses so packed that they were nearly impossible to board. Fujita initially lived in a dormitory at Shanghai Normal University in Xuhui District, where he studied Chinese. He said the area at the time felt like it was on the outskirts of the urban enter.“I remember living in a small, run-down apartment, and buying groceries was a challenge because I didn’t speak Chinese,” he said.Fujita’s decision to come to Shanghai was driven by his fascination with traditional Chinese medicine, a passion ignited by his grandfather’s experience with Chinese herbal remedies. He eventually enrolled at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine where he studied herbal medicine, acupuncture and the intricate philosophy behind traditional remedies. “Shanghai was the perfect place for my journey,” Fujita explained. “A city where the old and the new coexist, much like how traditional medicine combines ancient wisdom with modern practices.”In the early 2000s, he moved from Xuhui to Pudong’s Huamu area. Despite the prevailing saying that it “was better to have a bed in Puxi than a house in Pudong” in the underdeveloped east side of the river, he bought a home in the Lianyang International Community in Pudong in 2003. He lived there with his wife, a Shanghai native and a classmate.“Back then, Pudong was still largely undeveloped,” he said. “I remember the vast empty spaces, with just a few new apartment buildings and the fledgling Century Park nearby. It was hard to imagine that it would grow into the vibrant district it is today.”He started using a camera to document his life in Shanghai in 1996, snapping pictures on the city’s streets, which, at the time, was an uncommon sight. “I was afraid my camera might cause offense, so I was very discreet,” he said.As digital cameras became popular, Fujita embraced the newer technology to continue hi photo chronicles, which tell the story of a city in constant flux. He captured how skyscrapers began to dominate the skyline of Lujiazui and how, in more recent times, progress turned the outlying area of Lingang in a modern technology hub. “I’ve always been drawn to places that are just beginning to grow,” he said. “There’s something special about being in a place before it becomes fully developed, watching it evolve and mature.”Fujita has only to hop on his bicycle today and pedal along the Huangpu River embankment and the waterfront of Suzhou Creek to evoke cherished memories of how both were transformed from drab, old industrial sites into stunning greenways. “The greenways are a gift to the people of Shanghai,” he said. “They have been turned into beautiful public areas everyone can enjoy.”In 2013, after obtaining permanent residency in China, Fujita began more intense study of traditional medicine and the promotion of international academic exchanges.In 2019, he moved to Blue Bay in Lingang, the then newly declared next frontier in Shanghai’s development.“Lingang reminds me of Pudong in the early 2000s; there’s so much potential here,” Fujita noted. “It’s exciting to be part of something new, to witness and contribute to the growth of a community.” Lingang is also closer to Pudong International Airport than downtown Shanghai — an advantage for a man who divides his time between treating patients in Shanghai and doing research at Osaka University.”To share his documentation of Lingang’s growth, Fujita has opened an account on Xiaohongshu, or Red social media platform, where he posts stories and photos that range from sunrises over Dishui Lake to the construction of new landmarks.“Shanghai has changed so much, but it has always retained its energy, its vibrancy,” he said. “I’m proud to have been a part of its journey, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds — not just for the city, but also for my own life within it.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Shanghai-1999-A-year-of-prosperity-and-hope-for-the-future/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Shanghai 1999 A year of prosperity and hope for the future</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Wu Liqiang]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[In 1999, with the launch of Shanghai Daily, the city witnessed an explosion of English-language media. The period was a golden era for print media, marked by the emergence of numerous publications such]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		In 1999, with the launch of Shanghai Daily, the city witnessed an explosion of English-language media. The period was a golden era for print media, marked by the emergence of numerous publications such as Shanghai Weekly, Shanghai Times, Bund Pictorial, and That’s Shanghai. These outlets catered to an increasingly cosmopolitan local audience, eager for a slice of global culture.The year was not just significant for the media. It stood as a landmark year of change, fueled by the economic reforms initiated in Pudong in 1990. In just nine years, Shanghai had transformed dramatically. From photocopying machines to mobile phones, from air conditioning units to refrigerators, every household was witness to rapid modernization, with each new gadget representing the promise of a better tomorrow.I vividly remember the era, filled with a sense of vibrant prosperity. In 1998, I had just bought my first car and at 37, I was brimming with youthful energy. Driving along the elevated Yan’an Road, I felt a rush of freedom. The road took me over three bends and up a steep incline, feeling almost like an airplane taking off as I glimpsed blue skies and fluffy clouds. Descending, I would see the sprawling high-rises of Lujiazui and the historic European -style architecture of the Bund, lit up in the evening light, before coasting in neutral to the intersection of Nanjing Road.In April 1999, I was appointed general manager of the Shanghai Yifei Model Company by the famous artist Chen Yifei. I spent my days escorting elegant models to various fashion brand auditions and parties, drawing envious and admiring glances wherever we went.Shanghai’s fashion scene was booming. From Lane Crawford at Times Square on Huaihai Road M. to the luxurious department stores along the same street, Shanghai was learning the art of sophisticated living from Hong Kong. It took nearly a decade, but by 1999, global luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior had become household names.The post-60s generation, having endured hardships, were now tasting the fruits of prosperity. In mid-1999, the Shanghai stock market soared, bringing a wave of wealth that saw friends treating each other daily and secretly buying designer bags for their lovers as if money were mere leaves falling from trees.The construction of Plaza 66 at the junction of Nanjing Road W. and Shaanxi Road N. symbolized the luxury that defined the area, with its vibrant nightlife and late-night dining culture. By 1999, the average price of housing in Shanghai had risen to 4,000 yuan per square meter, and securing a spot for real estate ads in newspapers required connections and, often, a hefty bribe.However, 1999 was also marked by tragedy when a Korean cargo plane crashed in Xinzhuang shortly after takeoff, killing about a dozen people on board and on the ground. This incident briefly halted the rise in local property prices as people speculated about the safety of living near flight paths.As the millennium approached, we welcomed the new century with the expected fireworks, but with a spontaneous celebration at the Bund, followed by a night of singing at KTVs and a dawn meal at the crowded Xin Wang Restaurant. Around 12:30am, as the crowd on the Bund began to disperse, the Oriental Pearl Tower finally lit up the sky with futuristic fireworks. It was a night to remember, a fitting end to a transformative decade.Twenty-five years later, I discovered that 1999 was also the year Alibaba was founded in April, followed by Ctrip in May, and Dangdang and Shanda in November. Unbeknown to me then, these companies were at the starting line of China’s Internet boom, a race I was oblivious to at the time.That year, a popular variety show hosted by Cheng Lei and Ji Xueping, featuring a grand prize of a new apartment, captured the hearts of many. It was a testament to the dreams and aspirations of a city on the cusp of the 21st century, a city that I had the privilege to experience in all its dynamic glory.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/From-newsstand-to-the-dawn-of-the-Internet/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>From newsstand to the dawn of the Internet</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[As the millennium turned, Shanghai found itself at a crossroads between tradition and the digital age. In a world before smartphones and apps, life was simpler, yet full of new possibilities — e-mails]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		As the millennium turned, Shanghai found itself at a crossroads between tradition and the digital age. In a world before smartphones and apps, life was simpler, yet full of new possibilities — e-mails replaced letters, music was still on CDs, and the city’s rapid development was just beginning to transform the skyline.People communicated through early internet platforms like MSN, Yahoo Messenger, QQ and Renren.com. Though internet connections were slow, they offered a thrilling glimpse of what was to come.“I bought my first mobile phone in 1999. It was a new Nokia model, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, with an orange case — very fashionable,” recalled Chen Chen, a famous TV anchor of Shanghai Media Group. Back then, she had just moved to Shanghai from Hangzhou,  studying at Shanghai International Studies University and enjoying campus life as a “new Shanghainese.”Before the concept of “apps” existed, people caught up on the news via sluggish webpages or, more commonly, at the bustling Oriental Newsstand scattered across the city. These kiosks, with their neatly stacked rows of newspapers and glossy magazines, were a daily stop for commuters, students, and retirees alike. It was an essential part of urban life.Music was still enjoyed through CDs, carefully stored in collections at home or bought from bustling street vendors. The Walkman and Discman were essential for commutes on the freshly opened Metro Line 3, with passengers holding paper subway tickets, which would soon give way to digital ones. The city had just launched the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, a futuristic vision of what was to come, while weekends were still spent at classic family-friendly spots like Jinjiang Amusement Park and Hongkou Football Stadium.Sports fever surged across the city, with Liu Xiang’s hurdles and Yao Ming’s basketball stardom lighting up the national imagination. “The year of 1999 marked the beginning of China’s sports internationalization, symbolized by the completion of Hongkou Football Stadium, the nation’s first professional football stadium, and Manchester United’s visit to Shanghai. This paved the way for Shanghai’s growth in hosting international commercial sports events, such as F1 and the Shanghai Masters in later years,” said Ji Yuyang, a sports reporter of Oriental Sports Daily.Karaoke and clubbing were beloved pastime that brought people together in the vibrant nightlife of early 2000s Shanghai. Friends would gather in at bustling karaoke bars, belting out their favorite tunes with enthusiasm and laughter. “We were also really into clubbing back then. My university had its own dance hall, and every Saturday, students from other universities — especially those with more male students — would come to dance. The facilities were very outdated, but it was still packed and a lot of fun,” Chen said.The internet was beginning to seep into everyday life, but not in the form of apps or smartphones. At home, families were more likely to gather around a TV set for the latest drama, while home-cooked dinners brought everyone together after a long day of school or work.“In 2000, Shanghai opened its first Starbucks. I had a senior who interned there and offered to take us for coffee. I still remember holding my phone as I drank my first cup of coffee at the Starbucks in Lippo Plaza on Huaihai Road.”As for entertainment, it’s basically the same as today, just with different devices. Don’t underestimate us — we had classmates who skipped classes to play video games too! The only difference is that back then, we used desktop computers while now it’s all on smartphones,” Chen recalled.And though the world was beginning to shift online, everyday tasks still relied on face-to-face interactions. Getting directions meant asking a stranger, and public phone booths were still common for people needing to make a quick call on the go.This was Shanghai at the turn of the century. Looking back, it feels like a simpler time, but one that paved the way for the fast-paced, digital city we know today.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/From-pages-to-pixels-The-mobile-revolution-begins/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>From pages to pixels: The mobile revolution begins</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[The digital age began to take shape, and the first hints of mobility were hard to miss. Enter the Kindle, a game changer that brought e-reading to life with its ink-like screen, making reading on the go]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		The digital age began to take shape, and the first hints of mobility were hard to miss. Enter the Kindle, a game changer that brought e-reading to life with its ink-like screen, making reading on the go a breeze. News wasn’t just confined to newspapers anymore; mobile news apps popped up, giving people instant access to the latest headlines. Then came the iPod, ushering in a new way to enjoy music, while some mobile phones began to support MP3 playback, revolutionizing playlists everywhere.Young folks flocked to coffee shops like Starbucks, laptops open and fingers flying, as they embraced online shopping and the burgeoning digital world around them.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/5G-beyond-Short-videos-livestreaming-and-digital-dreams/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>5G &amp; beyond: Short videos, livestreaming and digital dreams</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:31 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Finally, we entered the 5G era, characterized by rapid technological advancements and the prevalence of short video content.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Finally, we entered the 5G era, characterized by rapid technological advancements and the prevalence of short video content. Smart wearable devices, including smartwatches, enhanced fitness and sports activities, making cycling, running, basketball, tennis, skateboarding and marathons increasingly popular. The culture of checking in and sharing experiences became mainstream, with live streaming emerging as a dynamic way for individuals to connect with audiences in real time. Immersed in this digital landscape, concepts like virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse gained traction, while AI technologies like ChatGPT emerged. Trends such as the anime culture and Hanfu fashion became social phenomena among young people, reflecting a vibrant and evolving digital community.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Smartphones-social-swellsThe-age-of-instant-connection/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Smartphones &amp; social swells:The age of instant connection</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[NEXT came the smartphone explosion, a true game changer in connectivity, thanks to the arrival of 4G networks.

Suddenly, communication was transformed with WeChat, the app that became the lifeline for ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		NEXT came the smartphone explosion, a true game changer in connectivity, thanks to the arrival of 4G networks.

Suddenly, communication was transformed with WeChat, the app that became the lifeline for chatting and sharing moments. The opening of Disneyland in Shanghai sent waves of excitement through the city, while mobile gaming swept through youth culture like wildfire.

With smartphones in every pocket, the app era took off, making social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Tiktok the new hangout spots. Food delivery services surged, and shared bicycles turned city commuting into a breeze.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Expo-park-unveils-two-new-attractions/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Expo park unveils two new attractions</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Sep 2024 09:35:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[TWO highly anticipated new attractions in downtown Shanghai — a pair of artificial hills and stunning conservatories — have been unveiled, offering a fresh blend of natural beauty and architectural wonder.

Both ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		TWO highly anticipated new attractions in downtown Shanghai &mdash; a pair of artificial hills and stunning conservatories &mdash; have been unveiled, offering a fresh blend of natural beauty and architectural wonder.

Both are highlights of the Shanghai Expo Culture Park&rsquo;s southern section, which covers 65 hectares and is set to open to the public next Friday, nearly three years after the northern section&rsquo;s debut.

Known as the &ldquo;twin hills,&rdquo; these two artificial formations rise impressively against the city skyline on the southeastern edge of the park, spanning a sprawling 300,000 square meters.

This landscape features a 48-meter-tall hill and a slightly shorter 37-meter-high companion, which are forested with more than 7,000 trees, creating a natural landscape reminiscent of wild mountain forests with cascading streams and waterfalls.

The water for the waterfalls and streams is sourced from the Huangpu River and has been cleaned and purified.

Meandering trails offer a tranquil escape, drawing visitors to stroll and take in the views. Beneath the surface, the hills conceal an open-space structure housing an exhibition hall, a parking garage and other facilities.

At the base of the hills is a children&rsquo;s playground.

Nestled in the heart of the park, adjacent to the tranquil central lake and flanked by the twin hills, is the Shanghai Greenhouse.

Covering approximately 22,000 square meters, this sprawling urban oasis features three distinct themed pavilions: Sand Mirage, Cloud Forest and Cloud Canyon.

Each pavilion is designed to represent a unique plant habitat. Visitors can explore arid tropical environments, shaded tropical retreats and sun-drenched tropical gardens.

Highlights include towering specimens such as the saguaro cactus, one of the tallest cacti in the world; the notoriously poisonous upas trees; and the baobab trees, often called the &ldquo;tree of life.&rdquo;

Adding to the allure, the greenhouse features an underwater forest with a 12-meter-long, 4-meter-deep aquarium teeming with vibrant tropical fish.

Throughout the space, artful sculptures, innovative installations and dynamic projections create a sensory-rich environment that seamlessly blends nature with cultural artistry.

To mark its grand opening, the venue is offering a limited run of early-bird tickets at 59 yuan (US$8.30) each, valid until the end of the year.

Tickets can be secured via the Shanghai Expo Culture Park&rsquo;s WeChat mini-program or on platforms such as Meituan and Trip.com.

Future ticketing options, including combined passes for the greenhouse and other park attractions, will be released later this year.

To celebrate the opening of the park&rsquo;s southern section, a series of events will be hosted, including a photo display at the exhibition center of twin hills and a street performer festival on the park&rsquo;s grand lawn.

Additionally, several former Shanghai World Expo venues have been renovated for new purposes.

The former French Pavilion will feature an exhibition of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The former Italian Pavilion will host an exhibition showcasing Italian lifestyle and art. The former Russian Pavilion will reopen as a state-of-the-art entertainment hub called Red Rock, featuring popular music, fashion and cutting-edge technology under one roof.

These exhibitions and performances will be introduced in late September.

The Shanghai Expo Culture Park began construction in September 2017. The northern section opened to the public in December 2021 and had already welcomed 5.38 million visitors by the end of August.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/entertainment-and-culture/September-cinema-surge-upcoming-film-frenzy-preview/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>September cinema surge: upcoming film frenzy preview</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment and Culture]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:02:37 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Xu Wei]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Box office receipts for China’s golden summer slot have topped 11 billion yuan (US$1.54 billion), according to box office tracker Dengta Data.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Box office receipts for China’s golden summer slot have topped 11 billion yuan (US$1.54 billion), according to box office tracker Dengta Data.The five highest-grossing films from June to August are the comedy “Successor,” the crime thriller “A Place Called Silence,” the drama “Moments We Shared,” the sci-fi thriller “Alien: Romulus,” and the sci-fi comedy “Deadpool & Wolverine.”“Successor” topped the box office charts with 3.2 billion yuan, accounting for almost 29 percent of overall summer box office income. It has also sparked Internet debates over schooling and parent-child relationships.In recent years, many Chinese stories have resonated strongly with audiences thanks to an in-depth exploration of humanity, distinct Chinese aesthetics and innovative cinematography.The success of Chinese productions, such as the sci-fi franchise “The Wandering Earth” and the hit action role-playing game “Black Myth: Wukong,” demonstrates that the country’s culture and history have become remarkable sources of inspiration for the entertainment industry.September brings an exciting lineup of film releases, as detailed below.  The Sinking of the Lisbon MaruRelease date: September 6The documentary film by Chinese marine scientist Fang Li reveals a previously unknown historical event: how over 250 Chinese fishermen from Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, sacrificed their lives to save 384 foreign passengers from the sinking Lisbon Maru in 1942. Fang spent eight years gathering historical information and meeting with historians, Chinese fishermen, the ship’s survivors and their relatives for the film. The film premiered at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival in June.  Wonderful YouthRelease date: September 7Directed by Ju Xingmao, this sports film tells the inspiring tale of a high school basketball team from Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. It captures the essence of youth, sportsmanship, friendship, and faith as it follows a group of teenagers chasing their dreams and experiencing the transformative power of ambition and growth.  Speak No EvilRelease date: September 14British filmmaker James Watkins’ remake of a Danish film is about an American family’s weekend dream vacation in a beautiful country house turning into a psychological nightmare. At the country house, they discover the evil secrets of the British family who invited them. The BAFTA award-winning actor James McAvoy plays the lead role in the film.  All SuspectsRelease date: September 15Adapted from a novel by Japanese suspense writer Seiichirou Oyama, the film focuses on murder cases at a homestay where a cop, a detective author, a homeless guy and a pianist happen to spend the night. Following the deaths of the guesthouse owner and hostess, the real identities of all the characters are shrouded in mystery. Reasoning skills help in uncovering previously unknown secrets.  A Frozen RageRelease date: September 15Qiao Shan and Ma Li feature in the comic-crime film about a man’s revenge for the suffering of his younger brother who was badly injured in a car accident 15 years ago. After years of investigation, he finds the offender in a village and hiding behind a gang. His neighbors join him in his quest for revenge.  The Wild RobotRelease date: September 20The American sci-fi animated film, directed by Chris Sanders, tells the story of the intelligent robot Roz’s adventures on a deserted island following a shipwreck. Despite the difficult terrain and aggressive species, Roz develops close relationships with the creatures on the island and eventually integrates into a large family there. At the same time, her mysterious past is revealed.  Give You A CandyRelease date: September 30Based on a true story, the film follows a death row inmate’s critical choice when an earthquake collapses the detention center. Amidst the chaos, a police officer takes the initiative to assemble a daring rescue mission. The condemned man stands at a crossroads, torn between the allure of freedom and the moral imperative to save lives. Directed by Liu Jiangjiang.  High ForcesRelease date: September 30In Peng Shun’s high-octane thriller, starring Andy Lau and Zhang Zifeng, a luxury A380’s maiden voyage turns into a battle against hijackers at 10,000 feet. An international security expert and his daughter team up to outwit the criminals in the confined spaces of the plane’s seats, corridors, and toilets.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/How-a-dusty-horse-track-gave-birth-to-the-citys-undisputed-shopping-mecca/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>How a dusty horse track gave birth to the city’s undisputed shopping mecca</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jan 2024 00:27:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tan Weiyun]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Amid Shanghai’s soaring modern skyscrapers and dazzling night lights lies iconic Nanjing Road — part busy thoroughfare, part vibrant pedestrian shopping district.

The road dates back to the mid-19th ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Amid Shanghai&rsquo;s soaring modern skyscrapers and dazzling night lights lies iconic Nanjing Road &mdash; part busy thoroughfare, part vibrant pedestrian shopping district.

The road dates back to the mid-19th century, when Shanghai opened its ports to foreign commerce. At that time, it was a mere dirt path used by foreign residents for horseback riding.

However, the winds of change were already blowing. An influx of foreigners brought with it the traditions of Western lifestyles, including leisure activities.

In 1848, W. Hogg and other British merchants purchased a plot of land near the present-day Nanjing Road E. The site became Shanghai&rsquo;s first racecourse and marked the genesis of the road&rsquo;s transformation.

To connect the racecourse with the Huangpu River, a roadway was constructed, eventually stretching to the vicinity of today&rsquo;s Henan Road. This road was initially named Park Lane by expatriates because of the lush vegetation and serene ambiance of the area.

As horse racing gained popularity among foreign residents, the area evolved. Park Lane was extended westward, eventually reaching what is today Xizang Road M.

Park Lane&rsquo;s surface was paved with bricks and gravel, and stone rollers were used to ensure a smooth surface. With improved road quality came an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

In October 1865, the British authorities decided to rename the thoroughfare Nanjing Road, aligning it with Chinese place names in the concession.

The name change was only the beginning of major development of Nanjing Road. Western-style facilities and technologies were introduced.

In the late 1860s, gas lamps were installed along the roadway, illuminating it for nighttime activities. About 20 years later, electric lighting replaced gas lamps.

To enhance drainage, curbstones were laid along both sides of the road. And when trams and automobiles gained popularity in the early 20th century, the road was paved in asphalt.

Notably, in 1908, Shanghai tycoon Silas Aaron Hardoon imported 4 million pieces of ironwood for road construction, setting a new standard for road quality.

By the 1930s, Nanjing Road had been extensively expanded and took on an appearance much like the present.

In 1999, a section of Nanjing Road E. between Henan Road M. and Xizang Road M. was transformed into China&rsquo;s first 24/7 pedestrian street, becoming what we now know as the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall.

The history of Nanjing Road is not just about the street itself, but also about the commercial and residential development around it.

In the model of &ldquo;road first, stores follow,&rdquo; an array of diversified shops appeared, selling tobacco, cameras, liquor, fashion, jewelry, food, Chinese medicine and watches.

In 1917, the era of Chinese-owned department stores began with the opening of Wing On, Sincere, Sun Sun and The Sun &mdash; the so-called &ldquo;Big Four&rdquo; department stores. These emporia of one-stop shopping, with their wide variety of unique merchandise, became popular with the public.

The Big Four offered everything from hardware to electrical appliances, Western imports to traditional Chinese medicine. And they changed shopping habits. No more haggling over prices. Each item had a fixed price tag, and receipts were given as proof of purchase.

Into the port of Shanghai flooded what the world had to offer: British cotton and wool, Swiss timepieces, French fashion and cosmetics, and Czech glassware. The sheer volume and diversity of merchandise that appeared on Nanjing Road cemented its status as the commercial heart of Shanghai and, indeed, of the whole country.

Fast-forward to the present day. Nanjing Road has never lost its place as a premier shopping mecca of Shanghai. The enduring popularity of the road reflects not only its historical significance but also its ability to adapt to changing times. It stands as a modern monument to Shanghai&rsquo;s dynamic spirit and its status as a global metropolis.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/City-pushes-urban-regeneration-as-village-renovations-speed-up/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>City pushes urban regeneration as village renovations speed up</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:56:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Wan Lixin]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[SHANGHAI Party Secretary Chen Jinin says that urban regeneration is an important measure to carve out a new development mode for the city in line with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		SHANGHAI Party Secretary Chen Jinin says that urban regeneration is an important measure to carve out a new development mode for the city in line with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

With still greater achievements expected in urban regeneration, a new chapter will be ushered in in terms of building a city for the people, he told a conference on promoting urban regeneration yesterday.

In fact, the achievements in this direction are eminently palpable.

For instance, the urban regeneration effort in the Pudong New Area got a shot in the arm as renovations of some villages in the district kicked off in the New Year.

On January 2, Zhu Zhisong, Pudong Party chief, inspected some urban villages slated for renovation in Heqing Town. He also visited a construction site, where residences are being built for affected villagers in a community in Chuansha Town.

This village renovation project in Laoji Town and Nanshe Community involves a total area of 1,661 mu (111 hectares), more than half of which being collective construction land use, involving five villages: Qingfeng, Qingxing, Hongxing, Yaojin, and Qinyi.

They are typical chengzhongcun, or villages in the middle of the city, in that they are surrounded by established residential compounds and in close proximity to production facilities, commercial entities, park, and schools.

With these village houses located in the vicinity of factories and shops, and given the lack of public services and fire accident hazards, all villagers have shown a strong desire for renovation.

The current renovation blueprint, already approved by the Pudong government, would proceed in full view of the policy incentives accruing from Zhangjiang Science City, plus the geographic advantage of the forthcoming East Hub, so as to further catalyze the development of the high-end medical instruments industry, the modern high-tech industry, the headquarters economy, and the nurturing of startups, all in an effort to push for quality urban development.

Efforts will also be made to create a &ldquo;15-minute community life circle&rdquo; with an improved comprehensive environment that is informed by mutually reinforced interplay between living quarters and manufacturing space.

Significantly, the urban village renovation project of Xiaowan Village in Tangzhen took only 134 days, from obtaining municipal approval to securing the consent of the affected villagers.

By January 1, an astonishing 99.8 percent of the villagers had already signed the agreement, with full effort at securing 100 percent consent.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/entertainment-and-culture/Orchestra-eyes-an-artistic-journey-across-borders-of-time-and-nations/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Orchestra eyes an artistic journey across borders of time and nations</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment and Culture]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Yao Minji]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[THE new season of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra will feature a captivating array of premieres, co-commissions and international stars.

Starting in September, the new season will have 92 concerts, including ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		THE new season of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra will feature a captivating array of premieres, co-commissions and international stars.

Starting in September, the new season will have 92 concerts, including 35 by visiting performers and many world or China debuts.

French cellist Gautier Capu&ccedil;on, the first overseas artist to perform in Shanghai in over three years with his April concert, will continue his Shanghai journey as artist-in-residence for the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra&rsquo;s 2023-24 season. The residency will include three concerts across the season.

&ldquo;We will not only be able to hear brilliant sounds from top international artists again for the new season, but also experience the vibrant energy from China&rsquo;s new forces,&rdquo; the orchestra&rsquo;s music director Yu Long explained the curation of the programs.

&ldquo;We hope to take you on an artistic journey across borders of time and nations, to call for resonation from across the world through the endless power of art, and deliver the most essential emotions of human beings through music.&rdquo;

Yu and the orchestra will perform the world premiere of &ldquo;&Eacute;migr&eacute;,&rdquo; a new oratorio by award-winning composer Aaron Zigman, with lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell and songwriter Brock Walsh.

The 90-minute oratorio follows two Jewish brothers who arrive in Shanghai as refugees in 1938 as they go on to navigate their new lives and find a home and community in the city.

To be premiered on November 17, it is a co-commission with the New York Philharmonic, who will perform its US premiere on February 29 at the Lincoln Center&rsquo;s David Geffen Hall in New York.

The work will also be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon in live and studio sessions in the context of the world premiere performance and is due to be released in February.

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, in its 144th year, has performed more than 300 Chinese premieres, including many masterworks which are now among the most often performed classical music pieces in China.

In the new season, the orchestra will again present a series of premieres and co-commissions, including chamber opera &ldquo;AI&rsquo;s Variation,&rdquo; Liu Sola&rsquo;s &ldquo;Symphonic Dances: The Legend of the Monkey King&rdquo; that celebrates the history of Chinese animation, a Chinese premiere of Shostakovich&rsquo;s &ldquo;Suite on Poems of Michelangelo,&rdquo; and the Chinese premiere of Zhou Tian&rsquo;s &ldquo;First Sight.&rdquo;

The season will also see a range of guest artists and ensembles bringing a variety of sounds from all over the world.

Acclaimed British pianist Stephen Hough will perform Beethoven&rsquo;s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Brahms&rsquo; Piano Concerto No. 2 in October, under the baton of Yu.

On December 1, Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos will join the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Shostakovich&rsquo;s Violin Concerto No. 1, before German baritone Thomas Bauer performs Shostakovich&rsquo;s &ldquo;Suite on Poems of Michelangelo.&rdquo;

Other highlights from guest performers include German baritone Matthias Goerne on Mahler&rsquo;s &ldquo;Des Knaben Wunderhorn,&rdquo; cellist Wang Jian on works by Tchaikovsky and Respighi, German pianist and conductor Christoph Eschenbach on Tchaikovsky&rsquo;s Symphony No. 5 alongside Bartok&rsquo;s Piano Concerto No. 3 with soloist Serena Wang, and Russian soprano Olga Peretyatko&rsquo;s opera gala featuring favorites from operas such as &ldquo;Carmen,&rdquo; &ldquo;Don Pasquale&rdquo; and &ldquo;Il Trovatore.&rdquo;

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Locations-are-an-integral-part-of-films-just-like-characters/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Locations are an integral part of films, just like characters</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Xu Wei]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[SHANGHAI, a city full of charm, stories and rich cultural resources, has attracted many film and television teams from around the world.

According to the Shanghai Film and Television Production Services ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		SHANGHAI, a city full of charm, stories and rich cultural resources, has attracted many film and television teams from around the world.

According to the Shanghai Film and Television Production Services Institution, there are more than 400 film locations in the city. The increasing demand from production crews means that the number is likely to rise.

The 28th Shanghai TV Festival in June released two lists of popular locations that also reflect the city&rsquo;s rich history, culture and trends.

Many of them are open to visitors.

In the first episode, we&rsquo;ll introduce five of the 2023 Shanghai&rsquo;s Top 10 Film and TV Locations.

M+ Blackstone Music Plus

James Harry Blackstone, an American missionary, built the six-story building in an eclectic style in 1924. It has more than 30 suites and used to house notable figures such as the Swiss consul-general, US naval personnel and Xiong Xiling, then premier of the Republic of China (1912-1949). Celebrities often hosted banquets and social events here.

The century-old landmark apartment has been renovated and now houses a bookstore, cafe, hotel and art space. It is also an integral part of Blackstone Music Plus, which features educational facilities for musicians.

The building&rsquo;s north side is home to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Symphony Hall. Films and TV shows such as &ldquo;Life is a Long Quiet River,&rdquo; &ldquo;My Best Friend&rsquo;s Story&rdquo; and &ldquo;Women in Shanghai&rdquo; have used this structure as a set.

Address: 1331 Fuxing Road M., Xuhui District

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal has three large berths. Its 1,197-meter waterfront provides spectacular views of the Huangpu River. It is connected to venues hosting cultural, artistic and fashion events. New product launches, runway presentations and flash mob performances regularly take place here.

Movies and TV shows have used this area for filming, including &ldquo;Running Man,&rdquo; &ldquo;Go Lala Go 2,&rdquo; &ldquo;Challenger Alliance,&rdquo; &ldquo;Go Fighting!&rdquo; and &ldquo;Five Hundred Miles.&rdquo;

Address: 500 Dongdaming Road, Hongkou District

M50 Creative Park

The park on the banks of Suzhou Creek is a favorite haunt for art enthusiasts. Once a textile factory, it has 50 buildings that have been transformed for artistic and creative pursuits since 2000 and is now a center for modern art.

It is one of the best examples of downtown Shanghai&rsquo;s industrial past and features graffiti art. Some movies and TV shows that have taken advantage of this location&rsquo;s historical and artistic appeal include &ldquo;Go Go Squid!&rdquo; and &ldquo;My Sunshine.&rdquo;

Address: 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District

Nine Trees Future Art Center

The Fengxian District&rsquo;s landmark public cultural complex was designed to incorporate elements of nature, art and technology. It features a forest theater, a waterfront stage and three smaller theaters.

Since its 2019 opening, it has been committed to the development of new plays and the training of promising young theater professionals.

In addition to hosting world-class cultural events on a regular basis, the center has also become a popular location for filming TV shows and movies like &ldquo;To Dear Myself,&rdquo; &ldquo;Ode to Joy 3&rdquo; and &ldquo;End Game.&rdquo;

It has played host to a wide variety of public cultural events and evening galas aimed at spreading art to a wider audience.

Address: 99 Shuhuan Road, Fengxian District

Fengjing Ancient Town

The ancient watertown in Shanghai&rsquo;s southwest is a cultural and architectural treasure. Zhihe Bridge, the oldest of the town&rsquo;s 52 bridges, spans one of the many waterways that wind through it. It was built in 1328 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

The overall size of the four well-preserved historic architectural structures spans 48,750 square meters.

Green water, traditional houses and slow-moving boats create a beautiful water hamlet that stands in stark contrast to the frantic activity of downtown Shanghai.

&ldquo;Nothing But Thirty,&rdquo; &ldquo;My Best Friend&rsquo;s Story&rdquo; and &ldquo;Men in Love&rdquo; are just a few of the movies and TV shows that have used this location for filming.

Address: No. 28, Lane 8588, Tingfeng Highway, Jinshan District

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Shanghai-Jiahui-International-Hospital-celebrates-its-fifth-anniversary/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital celebrates its fifth anniversary</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2022 01:33:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[JIAHUI Health has redefined the meaning of international hospital standards by providing high-quality, comprehensive services and care tailored to local patients.

Jiahui International Hospital celebrated ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		JIAHUI Health has redefined the meaning of international hospital standards by providing high-quality, comprehensive services and care tailored to local patients.

Jiahui&nbsp;International Hospital celebrated its fifth anniversary in Shanghai recently.

&ldquo;Five years is still young for a hospital. But for a patient, five years is a long and important period of time. We will continue to adhere to our ideals and beliefs of treating and serving each patient wholeheartedly,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Ge&nbsp;Feng, CEO of&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;Health.

To better serve patients,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;has introduced many novel initiatives.

Many diseases may have similar symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, which means that many patients feel confused when identifying outpatient services. To address this problem,&nbsp;Jiahui has&nbsp;established multiple comprehensive clinics for common ailments, including liver disease, sleep apnea, balance disorders, weight loss and pelvic health.

Made up of experts from different departments, the clinics offer a one-stop service for diagnosis, treatment, surgery and rehabilitation.

For example, Jiahui International Cancer Center provides cancer patients with multidisciplinary services provided by both Chinese and international experts across different fields, with the aim to create individualized treatment plans.

&ldquo;We offer services in line with international standards, which include multilingual services, evidence-based practice and comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and services,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Dr John K Hsiang, chief medical officer of Jiahui Health and president of Clinical Services of Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital.

Among nearly 300 full-time doctors at&nbsp;Jiahui, 75 percent are from leading public hospitals in China or top medical institutions abroad.

Before joining Jiahui, every health-care professional must have extensive working experience, a clear clinical ability, and must undergo a strict qualification check and clinical skill evaluation.

For example, within the Anesthesiology Department, all anesthetists must receive a series of training and ensure they have four licenses &mdash; Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Training.

In March 2022,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;received accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), a world leader in health-care quality and patient safety.

The Joint Commission International process, endorsed and recognized by the World Health Organization, assesses a health facility&rsquo;s quality systems, medical processes and results to ensure it is maintaining high service standards and patient safety. The certification is a recognition of&nbsp;Jiahui&rsquo;s&nbsp;medical quality, safety, management and service, officials said.

In addition to professional health-care services,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;also has close collaborations with leading public hospitals to boost medical research and academic exchanges.

Jiahui&nbsp;Medical Research &amp; Education Group (J-Med) has collaborated with the NEJM Group, publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine, to deliver the Chinese version of NEJM. It focuses on the highest-quality clinical and scientific content and provides meaningful commentary for Chinese medical and clinical professionals.

It is the only authorized digital platform for providing Chinese readers with selected content, translated into Chinese, from the New England Journal of Medicine and NEJM Journal Watch. To date, it boasts more than 400,000 Chinese doctors as readers.

Since 2012,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;Health has had a deep strategic collaboration with the United States-based Massachusetts General Hospital regarding hospital planning, operation management, clinical research and staff training. As a result of the collaboration, patients in Shanghai and nearby regions can receive international cancer care from a multidisciplinary team of oncology specialists, both locally and abroad, and have the chance to participate in clinical trials of new drugs.

As a licensed National Clinical Research Center,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;International Hospital has cooperated with top local and international medical institutions to carry out different phases of clinical trials and studies, and has been involved in the development of new drugs and innovative medical equipment, particularly within the field of oncology, imaging and cardiology.

Jiahui&nbsp;also actively participates in social events and is the only international hospital designated to offer health support for the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

During the COVID-19 pandemic resurgence,&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;has sent medics to participate in nucleic acid sample collection in local communities and support the operation of temporary hospitals.

Jiahui also held a blood donation campaign for internal staff with the aim to increase Shanghai&rsquo;s blood supplies which were severely depleted during the pandemic, with a total of 119,400 milliliters of blood donated.

In addition, Jiahui holds a two-week Health Scholar Program which allows young students, with an interest in health care, to work in different departments across&nbsp;Jiahui&nbsp;during their summer vacation. This helps the young students make better choices regarding their future studies and career planning. The program has been running for three years, with some 100 participants.

Jiahui&nbsp;also recruits volunteers, which allows the public to learn about the hospital&rsquo;s operations, thereby building a diverse medical community.

Jiahui&nbsp;has ambitious new plans for the future. Its&nbsp;Suzhou Clinic, located in Jiangsu&nbsp;Province, will start operations in November, offering high-end service to people living within the Yangtze River Delta region.

Additionally, the Beijing Jiahui International Hospital project will also start construction, aligned to the Healthy China strategy, and with the aim to provide comprehensive, high-quality medical and health-care services.

Jiahui adheres to the concept of &ldquo;Care for the Entire Family, Partner for Life,&rdquo; providing lifelong, high-quality, international-standard health care and health management services for all people and their families.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Angel-aunties-nurture-homealone-boy-through-40-days-of-lockdown/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Angel ‘aunties’ nurture home-alone boy through 40 days of lockdown</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 01:45:39 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Wan Lixin]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[When a medical worker couple were enlisted in the fight against the pandemic, they had to leave their 12-year-old son Youyou alone at home, until their neighbors, learning of the boy’s plight, helped him]]></description>
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		When a medical worker couple were enlisted in the fight against the pandemic, they had to leave their 12-year-old son Youyou alone at home, until their neighbors, learning of the boy’s plight, helped him with daily meals for 40 consecutive days.Many medics faced a similar situation, having to work at medical facilities, makeshift hospitals or quarantine sites under “closed-loop” management, meaning they could not return home — often for a couple of months — until relieved of duty and were then subject to a period of quarantine.Given that Youyou’s parents were called to duty at the start of the anti-pandemic fight in late March, the boy had to spend the first three or four days of the new outbreak at home alone, in the company of a dog, eating fast noodles and managing his online study.The unusual situation began to be noticed by neighbors who ultimately joined hands in supporting the boy through a neighborly feeding drive that lasted for about 40 days.Youyou first came to the attention in early April of Sheng Xiaoyuan, a volunteer helping with routine nucleic acid tests in the community. Sheng noticed the boy was taking the test alone.“Why do you take the test by yourself? Where are your mom and dad?” Sheng asked the boy who, at 170cm tall, appeared to be an adult at first sight, but whose babyish face at closeup was a giveaway.Sheng learned that Youyou’s father was an ICU doctor at a hospital and his mother was head nurse in the Emergency Department of Yangsi Hospital in Pudong. Both were working at the forefront of the anti-pandemic fight, and their relatives and grandparents, all placed in lockdown, were unable to be of any help.When Sheng posted the news about Youyou in the WeChat Group for volunteers in the community, seven neighbors, acting on an initiative first suggested by Shi Lan, and after securing agreement from his parents, decided to launch a “Love Feeding Group” that would be responsible for Youyou’s daily three meals.The seven neighbors include a teacher, employees of foreign enterprises, artists and business people. They set up a weekly schedule whereby each of the seven, in addition to their volunteering work, would take care of the boy’s meals on a given day.In this way, a new WeChat group, named “Fraternity and Care Among Neighbors,” was set up consisting of the seven caring neighbors, who became his default “aunties,” and Youyou’s “lockdown family.”The first meal Youyou received was spaghetti with mushroom and ketchup, prepared by Shi.Sheng, who first noticed Youyou, used to be a busy employee whose meals at home were prepared by her parents. To take better care of Youyou, she learned to cook by herself. In providing a proper meal for the boy, the seven aunties in the WeChat group paid particular attention to providing a balanced meal consisting of both vegetables and meat, and steamed rice always went with a soup. They also sought Youyou’s input, subsequently preparing steak, hamburger and pizza and providing drinks and snacks for him.As these food providers also doubled as volunteers perpetually engaged in distributing supplies for residents, assisting with nucleic acid testing protocols, collecting antigen test kits, or standing guard, they were really super busy individuals. “Some of us also served as tuanzhang (group-buying leaders), thus sometimes we would juggle distribution of supplies with teleconferencing,” Shi said. In spite of this, they took the  greatest care of Youyou’s daily meals.Once they wanted to prepare a hamburger for Youyou, but they had run out of flour. The group took immediate action by arranging for flour to be sent by the fastest delivery available. Nor were these seven aunties the only people solicitous of Youyou’s welfare. Some residents not in the group sent in meat and eggs at times. April 8 happened to be Shi’s mother’s birthday, so she also asked that a piece of cake be sent to the boy.When the nurse mother posted the images of her son’s meals in her WeChat Moments, they drew a plethora of “likes” and comments. The mom believed the boy was having better meals than those from his parents, adding that when they returned home they would thank these good neighbors one by one.“As medical professionals, in this special time, we are duty-bound to rush to the frontline in the anti-pandemic fight. Although our son has been known for his independence, as a mother, I am still somewhat concerned for his condition. But the generous help from our neighbors really takes the burden off my mind,” the mother observed. She added that in times of fatigue at work, she felt truly motivated and inspired when she learned from the WeChat group how the neighbors were engaged in heated discussion over how to better feed her son.Thanks to the WeChat group, the neighbors could maintain regular communication with Youyou’s family. So when nucleic acid testing was required, Youyou would be put on the fast track. When supplies arrived, Youyou’s mother would be alerted. When the boy needed a haircut, a neighbor stepped up to do the job. Youyou’s mother was truly moved: “My son has been in good hands. With perseverance, we are sure to win the fight against the pandemic.”Not long ago, Youyou’s grandma arrived to accompany the boy, and thereafter the feeding group came to an end.During this period the boy’s parents, applying their professional expertise, also helped provide medical care or medicines for residents in need of such assistance.As neighbor Shi wrote in her WeChat: “The kindness deeply rooted within us, by warming others, also warms ourselves.”(This article was first published in Chinese on May 18 in Pudong Fabu. Wan Lixin translated it into English.)
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Lockdown-has-taught-menot-to-take-backstage-heroes-for-granted/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Lockdown has taught menot to take backstage heroes for granted</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 01:45:39 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Eve Wee-Ang]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[As I write this, it’s been 58 days since the lockdown in Shanghai started on March 28 in Pudong, where I reside.]]></description>
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		As I write this, it’s been 58 days since the lockdown in Shanghai started on March 28 in Pudong, where I reside. On the day before the confinement, our family had a great time riding bikes around our neighborhood and looking at the cherry blossoms, which were in their last days of beauty.We also stumbled upon a newish ramen joint that fed us delicious ramen served by a well-mannered chef/waiter, which had us planning to return the day after. But, of course, as with life itself, sometimes things don’t work out as planned.Things are slowly looking up as the city rouses itself from hibernation and inches its way to normalcy. As much as I look forward to my freedom, and hopefully no more PCR tests on weekend mornings, a part of me can’t help but feel that I might miss this peaceful time when it’s all over. When I glean and reflect, this lockdown period has many teachable moments for me.Spoilt by ChinaI used to buy everything online without minimum purchase and it would arrive anywhere between half an hour to three days max. No matter how bulky an item is, everything was delivered to my doorstep by kuaidi (deliverymen). Every day felt like Christmas living in China.My ayi (domestic helper) used to come to my house from Monday to Friday to take care of chores that I dislike, and we would both sit down to enjoy a hot lunch she made for us. For dinner, I simply strutted to my spotless kitchen to whip up a meal for my appreciative family, who probably had no idea that the ingredients were bought, washed, and chopped by ayi before she headed home.When my toilets got stuck, light bulbs blew and drinking water ran low, all I needed to do was make a call to wuye (property management) and someone would sort it out for me.Perhaps, this temporary halt is to teach me not to take all the backstage heroes, who run Shanghai and make my life so much easier here, for granted.Ask and it shall be given to youTen days into the lockdown, I was left with only two eggs and low food supplies. I have lived in my compound for five years, but I hardly knew anyone or was in any compound’s group chat. I am, admittedly, stubbornly independent, but now I was left with no choice.Casting my pride aside, I asked to be invited into the compound group chat and the rest is history. From strangers to Samaritans, I could not have survived this lockdown without my neighbors’ help.My husband has always left all the cooking to me since we got married, which means I’ve been prepping his meals for 16 years. A gourmand lover and a fan of cooking shows, the idea of stepping into “my” kitchen has never occurred to him until ... I asked. You see, I had a selfish motive. I didn’t want to cook seven days a week without a break, so I came up with a plan in my head and christened it “Believe and Let Go.”First, I asked my husband to take a break from his screen by helping me in the kitchen when I made dinner, so he is familiar with where things are. Next, I told him that, for someone who loves food so much, he has the potential to be a great cook. Why doesn’t he google a simple recipe of his favorite food and give it a go this weekend, since he has nowhere to go anyway? — Believe. The final step, when he made it to the kitchen, was to step aside and allow Google to wifey him. Even if he messes up the kitchen, breaks stuff and burns his food. — Let Go.Thanks to the resourcefulness of our group-buying leader neighbors, my fridge is now stuffed like I am preparing for an impending famine. As for my husband, he has a few delectable dishes under his belt and is eager to try new recipes on the weekends.Perhaps this lockdown is meant to teach me that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.Just do itIn our compound, 12 percent of expats left Shanghai in the last two months. Friends announcing their departures through texting is becoming a new normal for my teens, except that the reality is stalled behind screens for now. Some friends whom I made coffee plans with but never followed through with when we were leading busy social lives in Shanghai have relocated, and who knows if our paths will ever cross again.As I mourn for my loss and come to terms with the transience of life, I am reminded that nothing stays forever, neither suffering nor celebration. Perhaps, this is meant to teach me that I shouldn’t leave words unspoken, dreams stalled and coffee dates for another day, because sometimes we don’t get another chance.Before we left the ramen shop the night before lockdown kicked in, the chef/waiter stood at the entrance, bowed, and thanked us for coming. I paused and hesitated, but as an afterthought, decided to tell him that his ramen noodles were delicious and that our family would be back again. He beamed with pride and bowed deeper.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Savoring-the-pleasure-of-offline-buying/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Savoring the pleasure of offline buying</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 01:45:39 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zhou Anna]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[When a customer left the Muji outlet at Global Harbor with two large bags of items costing nearly 1,000 yuan (US$150), the store’s salesperson couldn’t help but laugh.]]></description>
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		When a customer left the Muji outlet at Global Harbor with two large bags of items costing nearly 1,000 yuan (US$150), the store’s salesperson couldn’t help but laugh.“Even though not all of our merchandise has arrived yet, customers’ desire for shopping hasn’t changed,” the man, surnamed Li, told Shanghai Daily. “In fact, it’s even stronger.”After nearly two months, Li has finally returned to his post. Although working under closed-loop management amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which is easing, he is pleased to see his workplace gradually regain its former lively atmosphere.The Global Harbor shopping mall in Shanghai’s downtown Putuo District reopened on May 26, indicating that the megacity had entered the final stretch after a COVID-19 resurgence brought the normally bustling metropolis to a standstill.Muji, one of the first stores to reopen in the mall, has become one of the most popular stores among customers due to its diverse product offerings.Tomo, a Japanese man, and his friend went straight to the mall’s snack section. Each of them had a cheesecake in their hands that they had purchased from another store at the mall. In less than five minutes, their shopping basket was already filled with instant noodles and various snacks.“We need to buy food like curry or noodles or something like Japanese food,” he explained.The excitement of his first offline shopping since the lockdown overshadowed his disappointment at discovering that his favorite supermarket was still closed. “I wanted to buy more sweet snacks. They can make me happy,” Tomo added.In addition to food, Li said that T-shirts and shorts were the day’s most popular items. “Customers view our store as an alternative to traditional supermarkets,” he pointed out.Another customer who finds happiness in sweet food is Zhang Xiao, a young woman in her 20s. Near the end of the mall’s business hours, she bought five cups of mango pomelo sago from chain milk tea brand Sweet7 on the B1 floor. Zhang said that she would share them with her roommates because they had almost forgotten the taste of their favorite drink.Mango pomelo sago is Sweet7’s signature drink. A staffer surnamed Wu revealed that most customers who came to the shop bought the drink. As of 6pm that day, the store’s total turnover for the day was about 6,000 yuan (US$895). Compared with the approximately 10,000 yuan under normal circumstances, there was no significant difference.“Many customers come here to buy some drinks after shopping before going home,” Wu noted. “Few would miss this opportunity to buy a drink offline.”The mall is currently open from 10am to 6:30pm to comply with the city’s pandemic control requirements. Customers are required to show their special passes, “invitation cards” from the store, and a green health code to enter the store.However, not everyone who owns a pass had a successful shopping experience.A 50-year-old man Shi Yi sat on a bench on Nanjing Road, opposite Shanghai First Foodhall. He rode over in the afternoon after learning of the store’s reopening on Douyin on the morning of May 25. It took him about half an hour to get there from his home in Changning District. However, when he arrived, the store’s doors were already shut.According to the official WeChat account “Shanghai Huangpu,” the store was only open from 10am to noon that day because it was its first day back in business.“It didn’t say in the short video that there was a business-hour limit,” Shi said. “I didn’t want to buy food. All I wanted was some cigarettes.” For nearly two months, this heavy- smoking veteran had been tortured by the fact that he had to finish each cigarette in two or three sittings because he had no more “stock.”Even if Shi had not missed the opening hours, he would have been unable to purchase cigarettes. The store’s current offerings consist of food items only.However, if he had gone to the area three days later, he would have discovered that a store where he could buy cigarettes had resumed operations on the road.Near Shanghai First Foodhall, Shanghai No. 1 Department Store reopened on May 28. Aside from some restaurants, cosmetics brands such as La Mer and Estee Lauder in Hall A, the tobacco counter in Hall B, and the adidas flagship store in Hall C have all returned to business.To enter the store, customers need to make a reservation and show their green health code. Only 50 people are admitted per hour. The store’s business hours are from 10am to 6pm from May 28 to June 2.At the adidas flagship store, customer Hua’s oversized shopping bag was already stuffed with three sportswear pieces. She lives in Huangpu District’s Nanjing Road E. Subdistrict and had gone shopping at least three times since May 25. Buying food offline was nothing new to her, but buying clothes certainly was.“Sportswear is more comfortable for me when I’m at home,” she stated, showing off her long-awaited, newly acquired “trophies.” “I got these at 20 percent discount, so they’re not too expensive.”Two kilometers from Nanjing Road E., another city landmark, Yuyuan Garden Malls, reopened on the same day.Currently, the malls are open from 9am to 5pm. Time-honored brands such as Ningbo Soup Dumpling Shop and Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop are among the first to resume operations.Customers can order online and then pick up the goods directly offline, with a waiting time of about 15 minutes.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/One-small-cup-of-coffee-one-giant-leap-for-Shanghai/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>One small cup of coffee, one giant leap for Shanghai</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 01:45:39 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[As the reopening of Shanghai enters the final stretch after a COVID-19 resurgence brought the normally bustling metropolis to a standstill, Sheng Li has returned to the post that she has never missed]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		As the reopening of Shanghai enters the final stretch after a COVID-19 resurgence brought the normally bustling metropolis to a standstill, Sheng Li has returned to the post that she has never missed more.“It’s so wonderful to be back at this familiar store and reconnect with the community and customers again by making cups of coffee,” said the manager of the Starbucks store on Shanghai’s Huaihai Road W.Sheng said the first cup of coffee after the work resumption symbolizes a big step. After several months of a tough fight against Omicron, the megacity of 25 million declared on May 17 that all its 16 districts had cut off community transmission of COVID-19.Shanghai was gradually reopening commercial outlets from May 16, with the resurgence under control.The store Sheng works at resumed operation on the day as Starbucks, along with many other restaurants and coffee shops in the city, restarted delivery and takeout services in downtown areas.Incomplete statistics show Shanghai, a city at the forefront of China’s boom in coffee consumption and related business, boasts more than 7,000 coffee shops, with Starbucks alone having over 900 stores. The city is currently home to the world’s largest number of Starbucks stores.The coffee giant announced in 2018 that it aims to have 6,000 stores in China by 2022. Starbucks said recently that despite the epidemic, it will continue to work on the plan as promised.As of Monday, nearly 20 Starbucks stores in Shanghai’s 12 districts had reopened, covering downtown and suburban areas. Sheng said she has been fully occupied these days as expected.“Our store is adjacent to a subway station. Though it’s small, it has certain geographical advantages,” she said, adding that as part of the city’s public transport network resumed operation on May 22, the demand for takeout coffee among residents in nearby communities and office workers who have returned to work has further increased.The work resumption of Starbucks, Peet’s and other well-known chains has boosted the confidence of those in the coffee industry.“It’s such good news for upstream suppliers,” said Peng Ziyuan, who is still engaged in a coffee bean wholesale business in Shanghai, despite challenges brought by logistics delays.“In recent years, China’s domestic coffee industry chain has become more complete. With the gradual smooth flow of logistics, relevant factories in the Yangtze River Delta and coffee bean producers in southwest China’s Yunnan Province will also benefit,” Peng added.“Drinking coffee is actually a small thing. But as every small thing in Shanghai runs conveniently and smoothly, the city will not be far from normalcy,” said Tan Congcong, owner of Shanghai Tan Coffee.
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