Yuyuan Road blends past and present with revamped green space, restored buildings

After months of meticulous renovation, the affiliated green space of Changning Financial Park on Yuyuan Road has opened to the public free of charge.

Once a closed-off green area, it has now been transformed into a public green space that connects urban streets and historic buildings, offering citizens an additional "urban living room" for rest, appreciation, and leisure.

The renovation moved away from traditional solid walls as barriers, innovatively using ecological and soft measures like hedges and low flower beds to define spatial boundaries. This approach not only achieves visual transparency and pedestrian connectivity between the green space and the city's street network but also seamlessly integrates the once "secluded" lush greenery into the urban fabric.

Alongside the green space renewal, protective restoration projects for two historic buildings along Yuyuan Road have also advanced. Building 10 at Lane 1320, Yuyuan Road, is a key historically protected structure in the area. Its restoration strictly adhered to the principle of "repairing the old as it was," with meticulous repairs to the building's structure. Additionally, the surrounding ground pavement was completely renewed, using materials and styles that align with the historic district's character.

The building at 1294 Yuyuan Road and its surrounding grounds have also undergone a comprehensive upgrade. The renovation ensures that the building's pavement is consistent with the overall style of the Yuyuan Road Historic District, maintaining the continuity and integrity of the neighborhood's historical scene and spatial texture.

The two restored historic buildings are now open to the public. Every Sunday from 9am to 4pm, citizens can visit free of charge, getting a close look at the weathered texture of the old buildings and experiencing the balanced wisdom of "preservation and utilization" in the process of urban renewal.

Hongqiao launches pioneering legal hub

The first batch of institutions signed agreements on January 12 to settle in the newly established Innovation Zone of the Hongqiao International Central Legal Services District.

At the event, five pillar institutions, namely East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL), Shanghai International Arbitration Center, the District People's Court, Changning Notary Public Office, and the District People's Mediation Association, signed cooperation agreements with the New Changning Group.

The innovation zone aims to become a hub for international legal services, a preferred destination for aviation dispute resolution, a source of legal technology innovation, a benchmark for international rule-of-law research, and a prime location for cultivating legal talent. It seeks to synergistically advance the development of Changning's section within the Hongqiao International Open Hub and continuously build a top-tier business environment characterized by market orientation, rule of law, and internationalization.

As early as May 2023, the District People's Court established the nation's first "aviation case trial station" within the court system. Together with the Aviation Dispute Mediation Center and the Shanghai International Aviation Arbitration Institute, it formed China's first one-stop platform for resolving aviation disputes. The court also collaborated with ECUPL to establish an expert think tank for one-stop aviation dispute resolution and a regular consultation mechanism for aviation disputes.

The joint entry of ECUPL, Shanghai International Arbitration Center, and the District People's Court as founding institutions will establish and improve a diversified platform for resolving aviation and low-altitude economy disputes. This platform will organically connect and coordinate theoretical research, arbitration practice, and judicial adjudication, effectively helping the innovation zone become an efficient and convenient "preferred zone" for aviation dispute resolution.

In the future, Changning District will focus on serving the national "Greater Hongqiao" strategy and the new "3+3" industrial layout. Leveraging the innovation zone, it aims to attract more top-tier law firms, multinational corporations, and international legal organizations. By providing higher-level legal services, Changning will accelerate its efforts to build itself into an international boutique district with global influence.

Digital Changning Experience Museum recognized as Shanghai's digital transformation model

The Digital Changning Experience Museum has been selected as one of Shanghai's latest batch of 17 citywide digital transformation demonstration scenarios, recognized for its rich practical applications and public benefits.

These 17 demonstration scenarios collectively showcase Shanghai's innovative practices in digital transformation, covering daily life, governance, and the economy. They possess strong replicability and promotion value.

Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AIGC, computer vision, multi-screen interaction, and data visualization, the Digital Changning Experience Museum has established an immersive learning hub that integrates digital technology demonstrations, scenario-based experiences, and public convenience services. This transforms abstract digital technology into tangible, accessible life experiences.

Spanning over 2,500 square meters, the center not only systematically presents the development of Changning District's digital transformation but also focuses on residents' daily concerns. It constructs life-oriented application scenarios like "Digital Home," "Digital Elderly Care," "Digital Education," "Digital Health," and "Digital Security," achieving precise alignment between technological innovation and public livelihood needs.

Here, through the electricity big data monitoring system, citizens can visually understand the operational status of community power grids, experiencing the powerful effectiveness of digital technology in hazard detection and safety protection. 

Catering to the needs of the elderly, the smart device experience zone in the venue is quite popular. Contactless health monitoring devices can quickly complete basic health data collection and analysis without complicated procedures, providing convenient health management services for seniors. 

In the AI painting interactive zone, which combines a sense of technology with cultural flair, citizens blend AI technology with creative conception to collaboratively create "Future Changning" artworks that integrate technological elements with local characteristics.

Shanghai summit to drive overseas expansion of Chinese cuisine

The inaugural CFA China Catering Global Summit & Annual Awards Conference, hailed as the "Davos Forum" for the global expansion of Chinese cuisine, was held in Shanghai on January 14, carrying the theme "Collaboration • Innovation • Win-Win—Building a New Ecosystem for Chinese Cuisine Going Global."

At the summit, Kong Fu'an, executive deputy director of the Administrative Committee of the Hongqiao International Central Business District, said that the district will focus on building a highland for headquarters of globalizing enterprises and promoting institutional innovation for overseas expansion. This aims to provide strong support for various industries, including the catering industry, in expanding into international markets.

As an important part of the Hongqiao CBD, Changning District is positioning itself as a core service hub for the global expansion of Chinese cuisine. During the summit, a signing ceremony was held for the first batch of enterprises settling into the Shanghai Hongqiao Catering Innovation Valley located in Xinjing Town. This carrier is situated within the Hongqiao International Technology Plaza in Changning and aims to become China's first specialized industry building themed on digital-intelligent catering and Chinese cuisine going global.

In the future, the Hongqiao Catering Innovation Valley will leverage the locational advantages of East Hongqiao in Changning and the policy benefits of the Hongqiao CBD to build a complete industrial ecosystem integrating catering brands, supply chains, digital-intelligent service providers, and overseas expansion platforms.

These industrial practices are being supported by an increasingly comprehensive policy framework. The Hongqiao CBD has established a professional partner cooperation alliance for enterprises "going global." Through initiatives like setting up Overseas Hongqiao Development Service Center and the Hongqiao International Talent Service Center, it integrates various services and resources to provide full-chain support for companies expanding overseas, significantly lowering the threshold and costs for their international ventures.

Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway emerges as top winter destination

The 6.25-kilometer Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway has become one of the most favored outdoor destinations for Shanghai residents.

Cycling along the path, visitors can adjust their pace with the rolling slopes for exercise, while also stopping anytime to appreciate the winter scenery. Multiple service stations are located along the greenway, providing rest stops and basic amenities.

Upon closer observation, signs of emerging life are quietly visible within the greenway. Some wintersweet blossoms brave the cold, releasing a subtle fragrance, while magnolia tree branches have already formed buds. Ginkgo tree sprouts are also beginning to emerge, quietly awaiting the call of spring.

Since its completion, the Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway has become a high-quality public space for residents to connect with nature and enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle. It also represents a significant achievement in Changning District's efforts to advance park city construction.

Management authorities kindly remind the public that the greenway is exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles. Visitors are encouraged to adhere to the relevant regulations, ensuring a safe and civilized experience while protecting this urban ecological oasis.