Ten defining moments in local news for 2018
The Shanghai government picked their top ten news moments of 2018. Here they are.
1. The first China International Import Expo was successfully held in Shanghai and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony
From November 5 and 10, the first China International Import Expo, under the slogan "New Era, Shared Future,” was successfully held in Shanghai. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. As the world’s first import-themed national expo, it attracted 172 countries, regions and international organizations, more than 3,600 enterprises as exhibitors, and over 400,000 buyers from home and abroad, with a total value of US$57.83 billion in one-year intended deals signed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of China International Import Expo on November 5.
2. Xi Jinping gave affirmation to Shanghai in all aspects, laid out three new major tasks and five requirements for the city in his inspection of Shanghai
In his two-day inspection of Shanghai between November 6 and 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave affirmation to the city in all aspects. He requested Shanghai properly fulfill the three new major tasks: expanding the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, launching a science and technology innovation board on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and experimenting with a registration system for listed companies, as well as promoting the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region. He asked that Shanghai better serve the country's reform and development, drive high quality economic development, further reform and opening-up, enhance innovation in social governance and promote Party building. In the sixth plenary session of the 11th CPC Shanghai Committee, held on December 28, Li Qiang, the city’s Party secretary, gave a work report. Meanwhile, the plan to implement Xi’s talks in his inspection of Shanghai was released.
Xi speaks while inspecting the Lujiazui Financial City CPC construction service center in the Shanghai Tower to learn the CPC construction work of the skyscrapers in Pudong on November 6.
3. Xi Jinping wrote a letter to encourage Niu Ben, film actor and newly-admitted Party member
On June 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote a letter to Niu Ben, an 83-year-old film actor, as he was admitted as a Party member. Xi encouraged him to play a vanguard and exemplary role as a Party member and continue to set examples for others in engaging in art and conducting oneself.
Niu Ben
4. Shanghai’s new leaders were elected and the city’s government institutional reform was basically implemented by the end of the year
On January 28, Yin Yicui was elected as director of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai People’s Congress at the annual session of the Shanghai People’s Congress. Ying Yong was elected Shanghai’s mayor, Liao Guoxun as the city’s supervisory commission director, Liu Xiaoyun as director of the city’s higher people’s court and Zhang Bencai as director of the city’s people’s procuratorate. On November 11, under the approval of the Party and the State Council, Shanghai started its government institutional reform, and it has been basically implemented.
5. Shanghai released the “four brands” campaign and specified the goal to elevate its capability level and core competitiveness
On April 24, plans to build the city’s “four brands” and three-year action plan were released to expand the influence of “Shanghai service,” showcase the reputation of “Shanghai manufacturing,” enhance the experience of “Shanghai shopping” and display the charm of “Shanghai culture.” On June 27, a “future and global-oriented” plan to improve the city’s capacity and core competitiveness was released at the fourth plenary session of the 11th CPC Shanghai Committee. Under the plan, the city should make breakthroughs in the process of being global centers for economy, finance, trade, shipping and innovation, and it should create new highlands in brand-building, policy-making, opening-up, innovation and start-ups, global networks, development platforms, talent pool and high-quality life.
6. Three-year action plan for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region was released
On June 1, leading officials from the Yangtze River Delta region attended a meeting in Shanghai and agreed on the three-year action plan for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. It covers 12 collaborative projects in seven core fields, and puts more than 30 important lists on the agenda. Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui set up an office to promote the high-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.
7. Shanghai's one-stop portal that streamlines services was launched and Shanghai has made remarkable progress in improving the business environment
On October 17, a comprehensive government affairs service platform which merges public services of all government departments was launched. People can deal with a total of 1,008 affair items online, over 97 percent of which requires one visit to the physical existence of government department to get approval. Also, people can deal with 167 affair items across the city. In a World Bank report on the business environment released on October 31, Shanghai made remarkable progress in developing its business environment. The bank gave Shanghai a weighting of 55 percent and Beijing 45 percent.
8. Shanghai SIPG was Chinese Super League champion, 23 years after a Shanghai soccer team was crowned in the country's top soccer league
On November 7, Shanghai SIPG claimed its maiden Chinese Super League crown, following a 2-1 victory over Beijing Renhe. In Shanghai’s soccer history, it is the city’s first Chinese Super League crown. The last top-tier league title Shanghai won was 23 years ago in the Jia-A era.
9. Jiading-1, country’s first satellite developed by a commercial company, was launched
On November 20, Jiading-1, designed and made by Shanghai-based Space OK, was launched. As the first commercial company-made satellite, it opens a new page in China’s commercial space exploration. It is also the first satellite of Xiangyun, a communication constellation.
A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-6 satellite, two Tianping-1 micro satellites, Jiading-1 micro satellite, and another micro satellite lifts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan city, northwest China's Gansu Province, on November 20.
10. Shanghai released 100 measures aimed at promoting opening-up and making breakthroughs in introducing new foreign investment
Before the 40-year anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up, Shanghai released 100 measures aimed at promoting opening-up. Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone has basically implemented the 98 new reform tasks. Tesla has built its first factory outside the US in Shanghai, making it the first wholly foreign-owned automaker in China. In a year, the number of new foreign investment projects, contract values and paid-in amount all rose.
