Communist Party’s centenary turns into bonanza for Shui On’s shopping area as crowds flock to CCP’s birth place in Xintiandi
- The complex has been a landmark in Shanghai since the early 2000s, with many tour groups stopping off so that shoppers can snap up a gift
- CCP centenary has attracted hundreds of wealthy Shanghai locals to Xintiandi since authorities reopened the site in early June
Fanny Zhang, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) member, wanted to treat herself to an expensive gift at the Xintiandi commercial complex ahead of the party’s centenary celebrations.
“The Party has advanced with the times over the past 100 years,” said the 42-year Shanghai woman. “Now it is time for middle class consumers to spend more as a way of paying tribute to the great Party.”
Xintiandi, or New World in Chinese, refers to the area centred around Madang Road in the heart of Shanghai, the mainland’s commercial capital. Hong Kong developer Shui On Land began a redevelopment project there in 1999 to turn an area of reconstituted traditional stone-gate houses and some adjoining buildings into a shopping mecca, comprising book stores, cafes, restaurants and shopping malls.
The complex has been a landmark in Shanghai since the early 2000s, with many tour groups – both domestic and overseas – stopping off there so that shoppers can snap up a gift at its array of upscale boutiques.
This year is a special event for Xintiandi as the development neighbours the site of the CCP’s first Congress in July 1921 and July 1 also marks the 100th anniversary of the ruling party in mainland China.
The grand event has attracted hundreds of wealthy Shanghai locals to Xintiandi since authorities reopened the site in early June after a six-month renovation.
