This year marks the 5th anniversary of the concept of people's city. As the place where it was first proposed, Yangpu is thriving with a flourishing digital economy and a dynamic, youthful spirit. Let's immerse ourselves in this city that is becoming increasingly "YOUNG" for the people...

What captivates you about Yangpu? Is it the natural ambiance and cultural essence of Yangpu Riverside? The cultural threads and rich academic fragrance nestled within the greenery of century-old universities? Or perhaps it is the unstoppable youthful drive found in leading companies and commercial complexes? No doubt, everyone has their unique reasons.

Five years ago, during a survey of Yangpu Riverside, General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the concept of people's city, entrusting Yangpu with the glorious mission of building a people's city in the new era. Now, five years on, the people's city is growing younger, and the Yangpu model, a testament to urban development with Chinese characteristics, is clearly visible.

Tracing the origin of the people's city, one must observe the practice in Yangpu.

With a focus on the visibility of people's city building, Yangpu is striving to be a model of modern governance in mega cities and a vital window to exhibit Shanghai's achievements in building a people's city and the dynamic imagery of Chinese modernization. As the world's largest riverside industrial belt in existence, Yangpu Riverside has repurposed the remnants of China's national industry into a scenic leisure area for residents, turning the "industrial belt" into a "life belt". Neighborhood 228, one of Shanghai's first 20,000-household communities, has been reborn after 70 years, evolving from the long-awaited "new home" of industrial workers into a bustling hub within a "15-minute community life circle" that caters to all age groups.

With a focus on the contributions to high-quality development, Yangpu recognizes that new industries, models and drivers are the key forces behind high-quality economic growth. For years, innovation has been Yangpu's primary impetus for regional development. The transition from an "industrial belt" into a "life belt" has positioned Yangpu as one of the first national innovative urban areas, an important support area for Shanghai Technology Innovation Center, an "Innovation China" pilot area, and a national demonstration zone for innovation-driven development. Yang has been working ceaselessly to unleash innovation vitality throughout the entire process and the entire chain to foster new quality productive forces.

With a focus on the well-being and happiness of its residents, Yangpu has been fully committed to public welfare over the past five years. The "Beautiful New Homes" urban renewal initiative has been effectively executed, with the completion of the renovation of houses with small beams and thin slabs, the conclusion of the final-stage urban renovation, and the construction of beautiful homes. Given the high degree of aging in the population, the "Happy Elderly Care" service brand has warmed the later years of the elderly. Community canteens for the elderly have mushroomed, bringing "happiness on the tip of the tongue" while elderly service centers nearby have emerged endlessly. The "age-friendly renovation" of government services has embraced digitalization, offering accessible, policy-friendly and convenient online services that have touched the hearts of the elderly.

With a focus on the degree of participation in joint contribution, co-governance and sharing, Yangpu has consistently upheld the principle of whole-process people's democracy. In community renovations and elevator installations, the enthusiasm of residents for participation has been aroused, and the post-renovation responsibilities of property owners have been effectively implemented, achieving joint management of renovations, joint evaluation of outcomes and shared results. Shanghai's first all-year-round park Party-mass service station, located in Bailu (a building) on Renaissance Island, has added new functions such as a liaison station for deputies to the people's congress, a people's congress legislative contact point, and a point to collect public suggestions, becoming an "explosive point" of urban governance. The sub-district's "Practice of Whole-Process People's Democracy" CPPCC member workstations have conducted special consultations to address "top concerns" and "key minor issues" closely related to the lives of the people.

As the birthplace of the concept of people's city, Yangpu has always kept in mind the entrustment, forged ahead, and strived to advance the new practice of the people's city. To lead the way in reform, opening up and innovative development, Yangpu must be the vanguard and pioneer for Shanghai in building a people's city.

How can we be at the forefront and set an example in creating the best practice for the people's city, fully leveraging Shanghai's leading and exemplary role in advancing Chinese modernization? The recently concluded 9th Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Yangpu District Committee has unveiled such a blueprint: with a focus on the visibility of people's city building, the contributions to high-quality development, the well-being and happiness of residents, and the degree of participation in joint contribution, co-governance and sharing, Yangpu will achieve significant phased results in the construction of the best place to implement the concept of people's city, as well as reforms in key fields.