Happy New Year
Jing』an sits at the heart of Shanghai. It includes the essence of the history and culture of the city, home to century-old buildings, big-name attractions, glitzy retail malls and charming art galleries. Annual music and art events give the district a distinctive ambience. In this series, we showcase the highlights of Jing』an.
Business booms as top brands transform Nanjing Road W.
Our goal is to build Nanjing Road W. as a window for visitors to feel about Shanghai’s lifestyle and economic vigor.
——Wang HuaDirector of Jing』an District
The 2020 Forbes China Jing』an West Nanjing Road Forum this month brought new business opportunities to the heart of the city. — Ti Gong
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The annual Forbes forum has returned to Jing』an, bringing in new business opportunities. In 2020, the Forbes China Jing』an West Nanjing Road Forum signed agreements with several brands to open their first stores on the iconic Nanjing Road W. as to fuel a 「debut economy.」
French fragrance brand Boitown has opened its first flagship store in China in the HKRI Taikoo Hui mall. SNOW 51X BURTON, which combines retail and indoor skiing, opened its first Shanghai store at the Jing An Kerry Center in November.
Italian streetwear brand GCDS has opened its first Shanghai store at the Réel Mall.
As shoppers shift to online stores, Jing』an has also leapt at the chance to develop online retail.
During the forum, CGC Girls Collection signed a strategic partnership with the School of Continuing Education of the Shanghai Theater Academy, famous multi-channel network agency Soundnova and e-commerce platform Good Selection.
They will build an incubator in Jing』an to foster livestreamers and Internet celebrities.
The Jing』an government has also forged a deal with the world’s leading property advisers Savills, CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield and Colliers International to introduce more worldrenowned brands and multinational companies to the district.
As one of the most thriving commercial districts in Shanghai, Jing』an has shown how to inject vitality into the market in the post-pandemic era.
The district’s total retail sales of consumer goods between January and October grew by 18.51 percent year on year to nearly 100.7 billion yuan (US$15.3 billion).
This was the fastest growth across Shanghai.
Since May, Nanjing Road W. has maintained a double-digit growth in sales.
According to the Jing』an Commerce Commission, in the first three quarters, 111 stores debuted in Jing』an, including global and Asian firsts.
It’s rare to see so many debuts in such a short time, according to Lin Xiaojue, the commission’s director.
「Customers can have a great shopping experience in Jing』an and be the first to buy new merchandise,」 she added.
District Director Wang Hua said the government is now working to expand business space and improve roads, hoping to make it the most international yet most local CBD in Shanghai.
「We estimate we will have additional 800,000 square meters of high-end offices in three years,」 he said.
He cited Zhangyuan Garden. It is a 46,000-square-meter residential compound with about 170 historical buildings in a variety of styles, from shikumen (stone-gate) structures to garden villas. All residents have moved out while buildings are preserved, retaining authentic Shanghai flavor.
「These old buildings will be repaired and renovated to accommodate worldclass brands, art galleries and financial institutes,」 Wang said.
「Our goal is to build Nanjing Road W. as a window for visitors to feel about Shanghai’s lifestyle and economic vigor.」
Li Siwei, chief executive officer of Forbes China, said the road signifies the city’s prosperous economy. It plays an important part for Shanghai to build an international community.
Also, experts gathered in the forum to talk about the future development of commercial zones.
「Strolling through shopping malls in Jing』an, I often see a round-sized lighting device. Most of you may have seen it during livestreaming. Yes, livestreaming has been a part of China’s shopping malls,」 Li said.
It connects brick-and-mortar stores with the advancing Internet technologies, and it helps retailers reach customers, encouraging them to leave their home and walk to shopping malls.
「The online economy has reshaped shopping malls,」 he said.
A report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology shows that China’s digital economy ranked second only to the US in 2018. But in terms of development, China has topped the world, according to Zhao Guangbin, senior economist at PwC.
「China invented livestream sell, and it is all the rage across the nation,」 he said. 「The digital economy has become the new engine of Chinese economic growth for contributing over 30 percent of China’s GDP. It will exceed 50 percent in the future.」
According to him, commercial zones should put digital economy at top priority when making its development plan.
Zhang Jichuan, a manager from leading video-sharing platform Douyin, said livestream sell smashes the constraints of time and distance, an important reason behind its popularity especially after the COVID-19 outbreak.
「I don’t want to go out today and it’s very late at night, but I can still buy what I want from hundreds of kilometers away thanks to livestream sell,」 he said.
According to him, 「Internet celebrity economy」 has also fueled livestream sell.
「Internet celebrities have so many followers and great influence. So we need to rely on them to sell products,」 he said.
At 3, Starbucks Roastery still making a mark on food scene
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This month, Starbucks』 first overseas Reserve Roastery — on Nanjing Road W. — celebrated its third birthday.
Its opening in 2017 was quite a milestone for the city’s food business. And it is the largest Starbucks property in the world, at almost 2,800 square meters.
A roastery is not your average coffee shop. It involves cleaning, blending, roasting, cooling and packaging beans.
Initially, that process contravened local regulations.
But Jing』an officials stepped up to the challenge, in the spirit of encouraging new business and jobs. With the involvement of city- and state-level authorities, new rules were made.
Now, the roastery has become a must go attraction in Jing』an for offering that unique 「Willy Wonka」 moment, showing visitors the coffee-making process from green beans to a brewed cup.
In its three years, it has received millions of visitors.What’s more, it has become a 「supplier」 and 「innovator」 for all Starbucks outlets in China.
The roastery’s processing line has roasted nearly 3,000 tons of coffee beans — almost the weight of 10 A380 jetliners.
The beans are sent to Starbucks outlets across the country. It has also promoted the famous coffee of China’s southwestern province of Yunnan to the world.
The roastery has debuted more than 150 drinks and other products, nearly one-third of which have been promoted to other Starbucks outlets.
Innovation never stops. It opened in 2017 with a bakery and a souvenir store.
Last October, it introduced Bar Mixato, offering a fusion of coffee and cocktail as well as a novel nighttime experience for coffee lovers and bar-goers.
The Jing』an government sees the roastery as the epitome of the district’s vibrant business ambience.
Volunteers pitch in to make life better for all
One set in the weekend-only Daning night fair allows people to scan a QR code to tell heartwarming stories. — Ti Gong
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Jing』an has built civilization practice activities across the subdistricts and towns, cultivating mainstream values, promoting grassroots volunteerism and providing various activities at the doorstep.
It has one district-level New Era Civilization Practice Center, 14 subdistrict- and township-level centers, as well as 342 stations in neighborhoods, office buildings and commercial areas.
One station built in the Plaza 66 commercial complex has become popular with local retailers and office workers.
According to Qi Weihong, in charge of the station, every one can have their demands satisfied in the station.
「People can scan a QR code to write what they need, such as how to have volunteers registered and rent an event place, and companies can go through administrative procedures,」 she said.
「We will provide services based on their needs, including giving lectures to explain their questions.」The station is more than a place to meet demands. It’s also a place for local workers to have lunch break and read books. Photos and texts were posted on the wall demonstrating the site’s revolutionary history.
「The site used to be the office of the Party’s secretariat and the Shanghai University,」 Qi said.
In September, several civilization practice stations opened in commercial areas and industrial parks in Daning Road Subdistrict, such as Life Hub@Daning, Dobe E-Manor and Zhujiang Creative Park.
One set in the weekend-only Daning night fair allows people to scan a QR code to tell heartwarming stories and discover good Samaritans.
Also, it launched different activities every Thursday, such as a charity sale, revolutionary class and volunteer recruiting.
According to the subdistrict, they hope to use the popularity of the night fair to encourage more young people to take part in 「civilization practice.」 By the end of September, it had received 34 heartwarming stories and recruited 150 volunteers.
It has become a popular site.
One is about a group of 「water clean-up」 volunteers.
In 2011, a group of retired residents volunteered to help keep a 1.1-kilometer stretch of the Xujiazhai River in Pengpu Town clean and tidy.
Come rain or shine, they are out picking up trash and reporting illegal dumping to authorities. Nine years on, it’s quite a contrast with the past, when the riverbank was crowded with illegal structures and polluting factory workshops.
Sewage, garbage and industrial waste were poured into the river or piled up on its banks. The waterway was black and stinky. But now that the river and its banks have been beautified, the volunteers are out every day to make sure it stays that way.
Also, it has expanded from just tens of people to more than 500 volunteers watching over 10 riverways.
Now, the station functions as a place for volunteers to have rest and a meal.
Also, residents are allowed to step in to learn the history of Jing』an’s waterways and how they have been cleaned up due to joint efforts.
Winter is here, and it’s time for a little TCM care
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Jing』an-based TCM pharmacy chain Lei Yun Shang West has been popular these days as it’s time to have Chinese herbal pastes gaofang, one of its most famous products.
In China, one popular way to sustain health in winter is to take gaofang. It’s a herbal paste made from condensed liquid herbs and other ingredients.
Some varieties of gaofang are available ready-made, such as the company’s 「jam gaofang,」 especially designed to cater to the taste of young people. It mixes herbs with fruits such as pear, mulberry and grapefruit. It can be used as a spread for bread at breakfast — a convenient, quick pick-me-up for those living in the fast lane.
But most people prefer the very traditional personalized gaofang.
It’s has been a winter routine for local senior resident surnamed Wang to visit the company’s flagship store on Huashan Road to get his gaofang. But this time, his gaofang was made in the company’s newly-opened 1,100-square-meter factory in Pudong.
From devices to standards, everything has been upgraded.
Workers strictly follow traditional skills to soak herbs, boil and dry the paste.
Modern factory equipment such as UV disinfection lights and monitoring cameras have been installed to ensure safety. Also, both workers and products are required to receive air showers to avoid pollution.
It has also developed an online management platform, allowing managers to monitor everything taking place in the factory via their mobile phones. Every gaofang has its own QR code, by scanning which workers can know every detailed information and what to do next.
Lei Yun Shang West has always been a pioneer.
In 2011, it became the city’s first TCM industrial player to come up with standards for making gaofang by setting up a 670-square-meter workshop.
Traditionally, Chinese people more rely on experience, the opposite of Westerners who believe in numbers. So, traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions usually refer to a few ginseng or some saffron, instead of 1 gram of ginseng or 6 grams of saffron.
This is a unique charm of China, but it also causes some people to distrust TCM. Lei Yun Shang West breaks that stereotype by standardizing the process of making gaofang.
Its innovative and scientific approach has helped it earn official recognition as one of the 66 「Shanghai Brand」 certificate owners, 16 of which were announced last Wednesday. It is the only TCM brand to get the honor.
Moments in December
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Paying tribute to Chairman Mao
The former Shanghai home of Chairman Mao Zedong has refreshed its permanent collection to provide new insights for visitors and commemorate the 127th anniversary of his birth on December 26.
The site at 120 Maoming Road N. in Jing』an District was where China’s former leader lived with his family from June 1924 through the end of that year, his longest stay in the city.
It launched a major upgrade introducing 34 new exhibits ahead of the anniversary.
New exhibits include an excerpt from a letter written to Mao by his wife Yang Kaihui, a pioneer in promoting women’s liberation.
However, he never had the chance to read it.
The memorial has also set up a souvenir store selling creative products based on local 「red」 history, such as bookmarks printed with Jing』an’s 「red」 sites and silk kerchiefs.
Women’s marathon
The city’s annual women’s half marathon has returned to Jing』an.
A total of 4,800 runners took part in the 2020 Daning Group Shanghai Jing』an Queen’s Half Marathon.
Most runners participated in the 21-kilometer half marathon or the 10-kilometer mini marathon.
The rest joined a 4.5-kilometer race with their boyfriends or husbands.
The route showcases many Jing』an landmarks. Runners passed Daning’s iconic commercial complexes such as the Daning Music Plaza, an eSports hub on Lingshi Road and a film industry park, as well as popular photo-taking sites in the Daning Park.
As the city’s top women’s running event, it has been held in Jing』an for three consecutive years.
「We started as a 10-kilometer mini marathon in Daning Park. Last year, we combined with the park’s annual tulip expo, allowing runners to run through the well-arranged tulip blossom fields,」 said Yu Biao, director of the Jing』an Sports Bureau.
「This year, we expanded the event to the whole Daning area by adding the half marathon.」
Showing off traditional cheongsam
Kaikai Group has presented a floating cheongsam show on the Huangpu River, inviting people to enjoy the charm of traditional Chinese clothes and beautiful night views on both sides of the river.
Models presented sixty cheongsams, mostly from Kaikai’s Longfeng cheongsam brand, in the catwalk show on a cruise ship. Also, a mini-museum of the 84-year-old Longfeng qipao was set up, displaying its heritage-listed cheongsam-making skills such as rolling, engraving, embroidery and drawing.
Eat your spinach, Popeye
An exhibition of popular cartoon figures such as Popeye the Sailor has kicked off at the Westgate Mall, and will run through January 3.
The highlight is a 12-meter-long ice sliding board which allows customers to experience the charm of winter without going to cold places. There are also statues of Popeye, Oliver, Bluto and other figures from the popular cartoon for people to take photos of, along with a variety of interactive activities.
As Popeye loves spinach, a special spinach fair is running at the same time, showcasing the world’s best spinach products and gifts.
Boosting human resources, talent
The China Shanghai Human Resource Service Industrial Park in Jing』an celebrated its 10th anniversary this month by holding a summit.
At the summit, it released 20 measures aimed to innovate schemes to streamline administration, bring in more talent, enhance financial support and optimize government purchases of services.
Now, the park has brought together 362 human resources service agencies such as Randstad, Manpower and Heidrick & Struggles. In 2019, they brought in tax revenues of 1.2 billion yuan (US$183 million) — a year-on-year increase of 30 percent.
It has played a leading role in the city’s human resources service industry.
In 2019, the city brought 221,000 highend talent professionals and experts.
eSports stars battle it out
The 2020 eSports Shanghai Masters kicked off at the Jing』an Sports Center this month.
More than 130 professional eSports players competed in five games — the League of Legends, Identity V, Brawl Stars, Blizzard and Warcraft III — during the five-day event.
This year’s event introduced online formats to help cater to some players who couldn’t make it to the scene due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Shanghai Masters is Shanghai’s home-grown eSports brand, helping the city shape its status as the capital of China’s eSports industry. It debuted last year in Jing』an, home to a cluster of industrial leaders and players.
In the first 10 months, tax revenue from eSports in Jing』an saw a double-digit growth.
A district of high culture
This month, Jing』an has recognized 10 top cultural events and figures for the year of 2020.
They include the family drama festival, the art exhibition of Finnish artists and the tulip festival in which the flowers were sent to front-line workers.
In particular, Beizhan Subdistrict has formed a strategic cooperation with Douyin (known overseas as TikTok) to promote its history and culture. Now, it has nearly 15,000 followers on Douyin, after posting videos of children’s Peking Opera performances and telling stories behind local buildings such as the Sihang Warehouse and site of China’s first modern chamber of commerce.
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Source | Information Office of Jing'an And Shanghai Daily
Editor | Vivian
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