A group of expatriates were invited to visit a grand exhibition at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on Nov 15 on Shanghai's efforts to build a people's city.

Inaugurated on Nov 6, the exhibition celebrates five years of the city's commitment to the "People's City" initiative with 900 photographs, 353 real-world examples, and 51 video presentations.

Jessica Gleeson, an American entrepreneur was among the 10 Shanghai International Experience Ambassadors who toured the exhibition.

"Shanghai has been so intentional about how each element of space development is increasing the amount of space per capita that people have to live in, increasing the amount of green space, and providing services for people of all ages," said Gleeson.

Deniz Acar Köstem, a Turkish student at NYU Shanghai, was particularly struck by the city's efforts in preserving its cultural heritage while embracing modernization. "Shanghai culture is thousands of years old, but it's never lost. It's always there no matter how the city is developed," he said, calling it a powerful example for cities worldwide.

Astrid Poghosyan, an Armenian national and project manager at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, praised the city's flourishing arts scene, stating, "We see so many cultural events daily. There are so many options to choose from!"

For Poghosyan, this abundance of cultural opportunities is a testament to Shanghai's commitment to enriching the lives of its residents.

The exhibition features six zones covering key aspects of the initiative: promoting high-quality development, enabling citizen participation in governance, enhancing well-being and quality of life, fostering a culture of confidence and belonging, implementing detailed urban management, and showcasing the Communist Party of China's leadership.

Lou Bin contributed to the story.