‘City of Radiance’ wins top public relations award

Changning District has taken one of the city’s highest public relations honors for its eye-catching installation at the Shanghai International Light Festival.

Titled “City of Radiance,” the work was recognized as an Outstanding Case at the 12th Shanghai Outstanding Public Relations Case Awards (Bai Yu Cong Cup). 

A highlight of the Changning venue for the 2024 festival, it appeared at both the Shanghai Exhibition Center and Columbia Circle. 

The installation was created through a collaboration between the Changning District Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau and the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.

The project drew praise for its mix of artistry, technical precision, ecological awareness, and social engagement. Inspired by the map of Changning, its diamond-like design lets light and shadow dance across the structure, while subtle touches referencing carbon and diamonds symbolize nature’s resilience and humanity’s determination to tackle climate change.

A bureau official said the award highlights Changning’s commitment to innovating public spaces through culture. The district will continue embedding public relations thinking into urban management, creating projects that are artistic, socially meaningful, and community-focused, making the city more vibrant and enriching residents’ daily lives.

Inceptio Technology makes Hurun top 50 AI enterprises

Changning-based unicorn Inceptio Technology has been named to the “2025 Hurun China Artificial Intelligence Enterprises Top 50,” marking its continued recognition as a leading AI company in China. 

The company, focused exclusively on commercial truck autonomous driving, is noted for its technological breakthroughs and large-scale deployment.

The ranking, released by Hurun Research Institute, evaluates Chinese companies whose core business is AI computing power or algorithms, ranking them by enterprise value. 

Rupert Hoogewerf, Chairman and Chief Researcher of Hurun Inc., said the list aims to “spotlight the leading forces in AI, helping China move from a major AI user to a global AI innovator and contribute Chinese expertise to the intelligent era worldwide.”

Inceptio leverages a dataset of over 500 million kilometers from its commercial trucks to accelerate algorithm development. Its Truck NOA (Navigation Assisted Driving) system now covers major national highways, providing measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and fuel savings for a wide range of clients, from large logistics companies to smaller fleets.

Wang Lipeng, Vice President of Inceptio, said the company will continue focusing on autonomous trucking technology, delivering practical and forward-looking solutions that support smarter, higher-quality development in the logistics sector.

Being named again to Hurun’s Top 50 underscores Inceptio’s role at the forefront of China’s and the world’s AI and autonomous driving industry.

Two Changning-based multinationals’ China operations recognized among world’s most advanced factories

The World Economic Forum has named Unilever’s Hefei FTC distribution center and Michelin’s Shenyang factory to its Global Lighthouse Network (GLN), which highlights the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities.

Since its launch in 2018, the GLN has recognized more than 200 factories across over 30 industries worldwide, including over 100 in China. The program celebrates smart manufacturing and digital innovation at the highest level.

Unilever’s Hefei FTC distribution center earned the “Supply Chain Resilience Lighthouse” title for its innovative Factory-to-Consumer logistics model and agile supply chain. With 31 digital solutions, 65 percent powered by AI and generative AI, the center enables daily demand forecasting, inventory optimization, smart picking, and AI-supported warehouse management, improving forecast accuracy by 39 percent, shortening delivery cycles by 75 percent, and cutting operational costs by 24 percent. Key innovations include a fully integrated, touchless operation, nearly 120 robots across fulfillment stages, and the generative AI “Wukong” system.

Michelin’s Shenyang factory, the group’s largest high-end tire base worldwide, was recognized as a “Productivity Lighthouse.” Responding to the booming new energy vehicle market and rising demand for customized tires, the factory has increased product specifications by 340 percent and deployed 30+ digital solutions integrating AI, machine vision, and big data. Results include minimum order quantities down 71 percent, pilot production cycles cut 51 percent, and defect rates reduced 36 percent. Green initiatives, including equipment electrification, green electricity, and wastewater recycling, support both GLN sustainability standards and China’s carbon neutrality goals.

These recognitions underscore the role of foreign-invested companies with regional headquarters in Changning, including Unilever, Bosch, Michelin, and Eaton, in driving digital, green transformation in China’s manufacturing sector.

Eat, shop, stay: Cloud Nine kicks off new year festival 

The Cloud Nine Shopping Mall kicked off its “Dragon Horse Tourism Festival” on January 23, combining shopping, dining, hotels, and entertainment into a full “eat, drink, play, stay, explore” experience. 

The festival will run through early March, featuring 45 global dining outlets, family-friendly entertainment, and luxury hotels, while encouraging visitors to explore nearby attractions like Zhongshan Park and the Suzhou Creek promenade.

The mall is enhancing the festival atmosphere with pop-up experiences and celebrity events. Highlights include a fan meet-and-greet with celebrity He Luoluo. New store openings, including a large Peking Chamber restaurant seating nearly 200, add to the festive atmosphere.

Consumer promotions are also in full swing. JD Electronics is offering 15 percent national subsidies on digital and home appliances. Car brands like Xpeng and Tesla are showcasing new cars with combined incentives for more affordable purchases.

Special festival packages are also available:

Two-Day Package

• Booking: AI Zhongshan Park Cloud Nine live stream, Fliggy, Meituan

• Booking period: Jan 23 – Feb 14 | Valid: Jan 23 – Mar 3

• Price: 699 yuan

• Includes: One-night stay at Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Hotel (room only) plus Cloud Nine amusement package

One-Day Package

• Booking: AI Zhongshan Park Cloud Nine live stream, Cloud Nine official WeChat mini-program

• Booking period: Jan 23 – Feb 23 | Valid: Jan 23 – Mar 3

• Price: 210, 130, or 125 yuan (depending on tier)

• Includes: Mall dining, entertainment, and attractions for one day

4 Changning spots among Shanghai’s first ‘Community Attractions’

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism has unveiled the city’s first batch of “Community Attractions,” highlighting 50 standout spots. Four of these are in Changning. let’s check them out!

Columbia Circle

Where History Meets Modern Life

Nestled in the Xinhua Road Historical and Cultural Block, Columbia Circle is an example of urban renewal which blends rich history with modern energy. Historic landmarks like Sunke Villa, Columbia Country Club, and the Navy Club (with its iconic swimming pool) stand alongside 11 repurposed industrial buildings, creating a distinctive urban landscape. It’s not only an open commercial park but also a living stage for ongoing cultural activity.

The area shapes its cultural programming around the unique character of each building. Mystery drama week, coffee and theatre festival, and immersive art experiences seamlessly blend theater, art, lifestyle, and historic spaces. Trendy exhibitions frequently pop up in the old buildings, while live music fills the converted factories, letting visitors feel the sparks that fly when history meets contemporary creativity. A stroll through the Columbia Circle offers both locals and tourists a chance to experience the open, inclusive, and innovative spirit of Shanghai’s haipai culture.

Golden Street

Where Local Life Meets Global Flair

Located in Changning’s Hongqiao Gubei International Community, Golden Street is a 670-meter pedestrian boulevard showcasing Shanghai’s international lifestyle. Each season brings its own charm, but December’s ginkgo trees are a highlight, forming a golden, romantic corridor perfect for a warm drink at a sidewalk café.

The charm goes far beyond its natural scenery. The street buzzes year-round with themed markets, community events, night fairs, and music performances, while boutiques, florists, and international restaurants blend cosmopolitan flair with neighborhood warmth. Golden Street captures the open, friendly, and vibrant spirit of modern Shanghai, offering a lively escape for locals and visitors alike.

Zhongshan Park Pier — Plane Tree Square

A Riverside Gathering Spot Along the Suzhou Creek

Zhongshan Park Pier – Plane Tree Square, along the Suzhou Creek, enjoys a prime location: adjacent to the century-old campus of East China University of Political Science and Law and Zhongshan Park, and just a 10-minute walk from the major Zhongshan Park transit hub, where three Metro lines intersect. Its opening has added a new public waterfront space and connected a key section of Changning’s Suzhou Creek pedestrian network, realizing the vision of “returning the water and riverbanks to the people.”

The site embodies the idea of urban integration. Anchored by the pier and square, it stretches west to the Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway and east to historic streets like Yuyuan Road and Wuyi Road, effectively linking natural, cultural, and commercial resources. Visitors can relax, enjoy the scenery, or use the square as a starting point for a micro-urban exploration, making it a new riverside destination that combines cultural experiences, leisure, and urban learning.

Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway

An Urban Breath of Nature

The Changning Outer Ring Ecological Greenway officially opened on New Year’s Day 2020 as one of the first high-standard demonstration sections of Shanghai’s ecological park belt. Designed with ecological principles in mind, it preserves existing trees, links waterways, and features scenic bridges, transforming a municipal greenbelt into an accessible recreational space. Multi-use paths accommodate walking, jogging, and cycling, creating a “six-in-one” active corridor.

Beyond recreation, the greenway plays a key social and educational role. In 2023, four service stations, including Cai Lu Ting, opened along the route to provide visitor rest stops. Officials also launched the “Little Changning Greenway Observers” program, turning the greenway into a living outdoor classroom. Regular activities encourage visitors, especially youth, to observe nature and explore ecology, blending visual appeal, environmental value, and community benefit into a vibrant urban space.