A delegation of 30 diplomatic envoys and diplomats from 20 countries including Russia, Spain, Bangladesh, Cyprus and Namibia visited Gubei Civic Center on September 8 under the theme "Exploring the People's City: China's Governance and Global Mutual Learning." Chen Jing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai People's Congress and President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Xiao Han, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Management Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied the tour. Kong Fu'an, Party Secretary of Changning District, welcomed the guests.

Kong welcomed the delegation and noted that Changning is one of Shanghai's most international central urban areas, home to quite a number of consulates-general and foreign-funded enterprises. Gubei Community under Hongqiao Sub-district is among Shanghai's earliest large-scale planned international neighbourhoods, where around 36 percent of residents are expats from 50 countries and regions.More than a service hub, Gubei Civic Center serves as a platform for multicultural exchange and a bridge linking government authorities with residents. It puts into practice the important concept of whole‑process people's democracy, addressing public concerns through channels such as the 12345 government service hotline and public suggestion collection to improve people's satisfaction.

The delegation toured the Hongqiao Sub-district Legislative Outreach Office of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee and the grassroots practice site for whole‑process people's democracy run by Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, learning about public consultation on draft laws, collection of public opinion and adoption of legislative proposals . Established in July 2015 as one of China's first‑batch national legislative outreach offices, the site has collected suggestions on 125 draft laws, with 496 proposals adopted.

On the third floor, the envoys visited community spaces including a cultural salon, a residents' deliberation hall and an elderly meal service venue. They experienced traditional Chinese culture and intangible heritage such as calligraphy and Kunqu Opera, and interacted with local residents. The integrated international public‑service platform left a deep impression on visitors.

The event is an upgraded edition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' long-running "Diplomats on Local Visits" programme. It showcases practices of the "People's City" philosophy and urban governance achievements in Shanghai and Jiangsu, telling vivid stories of China's governance and promoting international exchange and mutual learning.

Earlier this year, the ministry launched signature events including "Sailing into the 15th Five‑Year Plan: China's Development and Global Opportunities" and "Exploring the People's City: China's Governance and Global Mutual Learning," which have been well received by participants.

Xu Kai, Deputy Director-General of Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, and Lu Hao, Member of the Standing Committee of Changning District Party Committee and Vice District Governor, also attended the event.