Related News
Happy birthday to a dynamic district
By Lu Feiran |
September 29, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO decades and going strong!Minhang District celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding this month with a gala event marking achievements of the past and aspirations for the future.
District officials expressed public gratitude to all those people whose sometimes unheralded contributions have set such a strong foundation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"In the history of Minhang, 20 years is a mere twinkle of the eye," said Party Secretary Sun Chao. "In the past 20 years, we have made progress in the economy, urban functions, social services and the environment. People have been able to enjoy a better life. But we need to face our glory with humility and muster the courage to face the future."
A gala event held in the Shanghai City Theater earlier this month presented the district in four segments entitled "Setting Sail," "Inheritance," "Progressiveness" and "Ascendancy."
The event showcased historical moments of the past two decades and lauded residents who have been honored with the title "Lovable Minhang People" for their contributions to the betterment of society.
Minhang came into being as a district in September 1992, when the State Council, China's cabinet, abolished the administrative jurisdictions of Shanghai County and old Minhang District to create a new political entity.
At that time, Minhang had a population of only 530,000. By the end of 2010, it embraced 2.4 million residents, including both longtime natives and rural migrants.
Minhang began its political life as a rural fringe of Shanghai, but its transformation into a suburban dynamo proceeded rapidly. Highways were built, dilapidated housing replaced, factories erected and public facilities enhanced. Parks, schools, Metro lines, shopping malls, sports grounds and theaters displaced farmland.
Despite the cranes and bulldozers, the district managed to remain a leafy, quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of downtown Shanghai, becoming a haven for urban residents seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.
Amid economic development and urban construction, the district didn't lose sight of its cultural heritage.
The area's roots go deep in history, dating back to the Maqiao civilization more than 4,000 years ago. Several ancient water towns, such as Qibao and Zhaojialou, have been placed under heritage protection and have become popular tourist sites.
Residents in Minhang have marveled at the changes taking place around them.
Yang Tao, a Chinese-born Norwegian citizen, said his mother-in-law has been living in Minhang for years, enjoying a senior-friendly environment.
"She gets free physical exams once a year and the government also provides lunch delivery to her home," he said. "We applaud the humanistic heart found in the district."
Minhang has become a popular home for many expatriates.
"Minhang is a quiet place with an easy lifestyle," said Li Pyung Se, 73, from South Korea. "I remember there were not many South Koreans in Minhang in the early 1990s, but now Hongqiao Town where I live has become the biggest South Korean settlement in Shanghai."
Looking ahead, Minhang government officials said the district will develop better transport and promote progress in its economic zones.
Zhu Dake, a sociologist at Tongji University, said he expects great strides for the district going forward. "I see Minhang with even better public services, more open communities, commercial amenities and more cultural charms in the future," he said.
District officials expressed public gratitude to all those people whose sometimes unheralded contributions have set such a strong foundation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"In the history of Minhang, 20 years is a mere twinkle of the eye," said Party Secretary Sun Chao. "In the past 20 years, we have made progress in the economy, urban functions, social services and the environment. People have been able to enjoy a better life. But we need to face our glory with humility and muster the courage to face the future."
A gala event held in the Shanghai City Theater earlier this month presented the district in four segments entitled "Setting Sail," "Inheritance," "Progressiveness" and "Ascendancy."
The event showcased historical moments of the past two decades and lauded residents who have been honored with the title "Lovable Minhang People" for their contributions to the betterment of society.
Minhang came into being as a district in September 1992, when the State Council, China's cabinet, abolished the administrative jurisdictions of Shanghai County and old Minhang District to create a new political entity.
At that time, Minhang had a population of only 530,000. By the end of 2010, it embraced 2.4 million residents, including both longtime natives and rural migrants.
Minhang began its political life as a rural fringe of Shanghai, but its transformation into a suburban dynamo proceeded rapidly. Highways were built, dilapidated housing replaced, factories erected and public facilities enhanced. Parks, schools, Metro lines, shopping malls, sports grounds and theaters displaced farmland.
Despite the cranes and bulldozers, the district managed to remain a leafy, quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of downtown Shanghai, becoming a haven for urban residents seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.
Amid economic development and urban construction, the district didn't lose sight of its cultural heritage.
The area's roots go deep in history, dating back to the Maqiao civilization more than 4,000 years ago. Several ancient water towns, such as Qibao and Zhaojialou, have been placed under heritage protection and have become popular tourist sites.
Residents in Minhang have marveled at the changes taking place around them.
Yang Tao, a Chinese-born Norwegian citizen, said his mother-in-law has been living in Minhang for years, enjoying a senior-friendly environment.
"She gets free physical exams once a year and the government also provides lunch delivery to her home," he said. "We applaud the humanistic heart found in the district."
Minhang has become a popular home for many expatriates.
"Minhang is a quiet place with an easy lifestyle," said Li Pyung Se, 73, from South Korea. "I remember there were not many South Koreans in Minhang in the early 1990s, but now Hongqiao Town where I live has become the biggest South Korean settlement in Shanghai."
Looking ahead, Minhang government officials said the district will develop better transport and promote progress in its economic zones.
Zhu Dake, a sociologist at Tongji University, said he expects great strides for the district going forward. "I see Minhang with even better public services, more open communities, commercial amenities and more cultural charms in the future," he said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
