Shanghai launched a citywide campaign on May 15 to promote civic values and enhance urban cultural development, aiming to advance urban civilization through broad citizen participation.

The two-day event, held at Heping Park in Hongkou district, featured six main segments and brought together nearly 200 participating organizations.

Municipal art troupes performed on a talent showcase stage, while a dedicated service zone mobilized various institutions to offer community services.

An honor wall highlighted outstanding cases and achievements in the development of urban civilization.

New features this year included a livestreaming area and an interactive fitness zone.

A counseling corner staffed by professional consultants addressed contemporary social issues, with a focus on youth mental health.

A highlight of the event was the appointment of Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong as Shanghai’s first Urban Civilization Ambassador.

Lila, a Shanghai-based US internet influencer, was named the city’s first Special Speaker for Urban Civilization.

Together with civic representatives, they launched the “Urban Civilization Open Mic” initiative, encouraging citizens to share their personal experiences and contributions to the city's development.

“Everyone deserves a stage to be seen and heard. The Urban Civilization Open Mic offers that platform,” Fan said. “I invite people from all walks of life to share their stories of urban civilization here.”

The initiative will continue throughout 2025.

In the second quarter, district-level events will take place, followed by six themed municipal-level selection events in the third quarter.

These will culminate in a final showcase in the fourth quarter, where selected participants will share their experiences and insights on urban civilization.

Municipal efforts will be complemented by district-level activities aimed at fostering civic engagement and promoting a culture of cooperation in building a civilized urban environment.