On February 25, People's Daily published a signed article by Xue Kan, Secretary of the CPC Yangpu District Committee, titled Achieving New Milestones in City Building by the People, Expanding New Horizons in Serving the People. This article highlights Yangpu's unwavering commitment to a people-centered approach, seamlessly blending the principles of "city building by the people" and "serving the people", and propelling us to lead the way in shaping the best practices for a people's city in Shanghai.

Achieving New Milestones in City Building by the People, Expanding New Horizons in Serving the People

Xue Kan

February 25, 2025

During his visit to Shanghai in November 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping introduced the visionary concept of "A people's city built by the people should serve the people". In 2024, he responded to a letter from the "Old Poplar Tree Lecture Group" in Yangpu District, Shanghai, reaffirming the guiding principles for urban construction in the new era. Yangpu has been at the vanguard of this transformative journey. We have aligned ourselves with the evolving demands of urban work, the imperatives of reform and development, and the aspirations of our people. By steadfastly embracing a people-centered development philosophy and seamlessly blending the principles of "city building by the people" with "serving the people", we are determined to lead the way in shaping the best practices for a people's city in Shanghai.

The Party's leadership: The cornerstone of a people's city

General Secretary Xi Jinping noted that urban governance must be guided by the unified leadership of the Party committee and jointly managed by both the Party and the government. This directive underscores a fundamental truth: the Party's leadership is indispensable in shaping a people's city. To anchor the city's development in the interests of its people, the Party committee must firmly steer the direction, oversee the broader landscape, and ensure effective implementation. In our district, we have wholeheartedly embraced the vision of a people's city, catalyzing a transformative shift in mindset among our cadres. This shift encompasses moving from a focus on "managing the city" to "serving the people", from "government-led initiatives" to "community co-construction", and from "short-term planning" to "long-term development". By translating this vision into institutional frameworks and strategic actions, we have established three pioneering systems - target, operation, and evaluation, dedicated to the building of a people's city. United under this banner, we are mobilizing the collective efforts of our people to orchestrate a harmonious and holistic urban development strategy.

General Secretary Xi Jinping also highlighted the urgency of cultivating a cadre of leaders who possess a deep understanding of urban dynamics and the capability to manage complex urban environments. Armed with scientific approaches, advanced concepts, and specialized knowledge, these leaders are tasked with the meticulous planning, construction, and management of our cities. In recent years, our district has launched an ambitious initiative to significantly enhance the professional capabilities of our cadres through targeted training and hands-on experience. We have refined our performance assessment mechanisms to focus on understanding individuals through their work and selecting candidates based on their fit for specific tasks. By championing the "front-line working method" of Yangpu, we have instilled a culture of dedication among our cadres, guiding them in prioritizing the well-being of our citizens. We respect the inherent laws of urban development, the sanctity of our natural environment, the legacy of our historical and cultural heritage, and the diverse needs of our communities. Through relentless effort and innovation, we are committed to fostering a healthy urban ecosystem that enhances the quality of life for our people, ensuring that our achievements are both tangible and people-oriented.

The success of social governance and grassroots development hinges on the strength of our grassroots Party organizations and the commitment of our Party members. General Secretary Xi Jinping called for the reinforcement of community-level Party building and the promotion of grassroots governance anchored by Party leadership. In response, our district has prioritized grassroots empowerment, fortifying a robust five-tier organizational structure that spans from the district level down to individual buildings. We have forged multi-level regional Party alliances and established a comprehensive network of Party-mass service centers. By integrating Party building grids with urban operation and police grids, we have extended the reach of our Party organizations to the grassroots level, ensuring that resources and support are channeled effectively to where they are needed most. Our efforts have also focused on expanding Party coverage in emerging sectors, propelling "two enterprises and three new organizations" Party building initiatives from nominal to substantive full coverage. Through these actions, we are enhancing the Party's appeal, cohesion, and influence in new domains, ensuring that our vision for a people's city is realized in every corner of our district.

Whole-process people's democracy: The backbone of a people's city

General Secretary Xi Jinping illuminated a clear path forward, stating: "Integrating whole-process people's democracy into urban governance modernization is essential for creating a community where every individual is an active participant, a diligent contributor, a responsible stakeholder, and a beneficiary." This vision propels us to delve deeper into the practice of whole-process people's democracy, forging institutional frameworks that not only safeguard the people's principal status but also unleash their full potential, striving to realize a rich tapestry of democratic engagement across diverse levels and domains.

To ensure that every voice is heard, we must create seamless pathways for public expression and platforms for collective wisdom. In our district, we have woven a comprehensive network for gathering people's suggestions, ensuring that the concerns and insights of our residents are collected with immediacy and processed with efficiency. These "golden ideas" are swiftly transformed into the "golden keys" that unlock better urban governance. Moreover, we have introduced an innovative model, comprising community political workers, planners, health specialists, and advisors for Party building, governance, and legal affairs. This model taps into the region's pool of professional expertise and intellectual resources, empowering the public to translate their ideas into dynamic practices of self-governance and co-governance.

To foster a culture of collective responsibility, we actively engage the public in resolving livelihood issues by democratic means and tackling governance challenges through dialogue and consultation. In managing urban affairs, residents are encouraged to embrace their social responsibilities. We have refined the system where deputies to the people's congress vote on livelihood projects, ensuring that major decisions on public welfare are made, supervised, and evaluated by the people themselves. We have also created the "Public Discussion Hall", a pioneering platform that supports community residents in driving agendas from the grassroots level, implementing projects, assessing outcomes, and establishing community regulations. Together, they tackle key issues such as vehicle charging, community greening, and elevator installation, turning these "key minor issues" into collective triumphs.

We inspire universal contribution through dynamic and efficient social mobilization, fostering an electrifying environment where every individual is encouraged to channel their energy into the city's development. Our district has diligently refined its volunteer service framework, significantly amplifying the outreach and brand impact of the "Old Poplar Tree Lecture Group". This initiative has catalyzed the emergence of numerous volunteer teams and projects, such as the "Centennial Red Labor Movement Lecture Forum" and "Yangpu Youth Voice". These efforts have ignited a wave of public enthusiasm, driving citizens to actively engage in initiatives ranging from civilization progress and environmental stewardship to public safety and social philanthropy.

In our pursuit of progress, we are committed to creating a society where prosperity is shared by all. We are steadfast in our commitment to reserving the finest resources for our people, delivering premium services, and ensuring that the fruits of development are enjoyed more equitably by all. Over the years, our district has strategically expanded public service offerings across diverse fields and levels, creating abundant opportunities for various groups to realize their aspirations and potential. We have institutionalized mechanisms for addressing public concerns and increasing investment in people's well-being, dedicated to building an all-encompassing and efficient employment service system. Additionally, we are rapidly developing a multi-tiered rental housing supply for urban workers, featuring options like "a bed, a room, and an apartment". Through these efforts, we strive to instill a profound sense of belonging and the warmth of community in every citizen's heart.