July 15, 2016, Liu Haisu Art Museum

Between July 13 and 14, 2016, Han Zheng, the Party Secretary of Shanghai, spent two half-days visiting and investigating the situation of the construction of major cultural facilities in Shanghai. He hosted the reform and development forum of state-owned art troupes to promote key troupes to deepen the reform and accelerate development. Han Zheng stressed that Shanghai should further implement the spirit of the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Central Literature and Art Work forum, profoundly understand the relationship between cultural prosperity and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, firmly grasp the cultural development-the core competitiveness of the city, continue to deepen reform, and take a future-oriented strategy of "prospering markets by advanced technology and culture." Building a city with great spirit is not possible without the development of literature and art. The key art troupes of Shanghai should further deepen the reform of "One Troupe, One Policy," focus on the cultivation of talented individuals, encourage art creation and performances, and unite together to make greater contribution to the prosperity and development of Chinese literature and art.

At the forum held on July 14, Party Secretary Han Zheng heard the reports delivered by Shanghai state-owned art troupes on the development progress of deepening reform and accelerating development as well as the construction situation of Shanghai International Dance Center. Representatives from 18 municipal art troupes attended the forum. Xin Lili, head of Shanghai Ballet, Gu Haohao, head of Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, Chen Huafei, head of Shanghai Dance Theatre, Zhou Ping, head of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and Hua Wen, director of Baoshan Shanghai opera Art Heritage Centre introduced the progress in promoting the reform of "One Troupe, One Policy" to Han Zheng respectively. Party Secretary Han Zheng expressed his opinions while listening. 

Hen said, since last year, Shanghai has been thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Central Literature and Art Work Forum. That is respecting the rules of the development of literature and art, and promoting the reform of "One Troupe, One Policy" according to the realities of the state-owned art troupes. The key art troupes keep focusing on the guideline of "motivating creation, encouraging performance, creating excellent shows, and fostering talented individuals," continuing to improve the ability of speaking national language, local dialects and international language and promoting the value of loving "yesterday", "today" and "tomorrow". All the works have gained initial progress.  

Han Zheng is speaking at the reform and development forum of municipal state-owned literature and art troupes. Photo: Chen Zhengbao

Han Zheng pointed out that culture is a key reflection of one city's characters and competitiveness. Without culture, it will be impossible to build Shanghai into a competitive socialist modern metropolis. Shanghai Culture is an important part of Chinese culture. "Being inclusive, excellent, sagacious, and humble" is the best reflection of Shanghai spirit, Shanghai Culture and its characteristics. We must take a comprehensive view and further deepen our understanding of the importance of culture for Shanghai's development. "Prospering markets by advanced technology and culture" is the only way to promote Shanghai's development in the future.

Han Zheng stressed that building a city with great spirit is not possible without the development of literature and art. Shanghai state-owned art troupes boasts complete artistic resources and brilliant history. It should make greater contributions to China's development of literature and art. As the driving force to promote Shanghai's development of literature and art, Shanghai state-owned art troupes must insist on the people-oriented approach in art work creation, adhere to the encouragement of performance, creation of original works and recreation of classic works and keep increasing Shanghai's capacity in art creation and performance by making appealing shows that combine profound thoughts, artistry, and high quality. All troupes must deepen the reform of "One Troupe, One Policy" according to their realities and respect the rules of the development of different types of arts. All troupes must value talented individuals and respect the rules of the cultivation of talents. The implementation of the reform of "One Troupe, One Policy" is not the same with different troupes. All troupes must establish management system, operation mechanism, and distribution methods according to their own realities so as to motivate maximum initiatives of talented individuals. The sate-owned key troupes need to proactively adapt to the new challenges brought by the Internet technology and new media to art conception, art form, and art practice. More advanced technologies, methods and channels are needed to satisfy people's spiritual and cultural demands. More powerful coordination mechanism needs to be established to accelerate the construction of Shanghai's "13th Five-Year Plan" cultural project.

Han Zheng is hosting the reform and development forum of state-owned art troupes. Photo: Chen Zhengbao

In the morning of July 13, Han Zheng visited Liu Haisu Art Museum. This is the first provincial and municipal national museum named after an individual. Its original site was in Hong Qiao in the western part in Shanghai. Now the new site is in Kai Qiao Green Land in Changning Dsitrict. There has been 8 exhibitions in the new museum since the trial operation on March 19. The leaders in Shanghai heard the reports on the construction of the museum and the situation of trial operation.

Han Zheng is visiting and investigating the Liu Haisu Art Museum Photo: Chen Zhengbao

Yun Chen Apartment on Hong Mei Road solves the accommodation problems of actors of Shanghai Ballet and Shanghai Dance Theatre. There are 157 public rental houses in total rented and managed by the two troupes. Leaders went into actors' rooms and checked the living condition and basic facilities. The people in charge told the leaders the employees have lived here since the end of last year. The better living condition lays a solid foundation for attracting and keeping excellent dancers. 

Later on, city leaders came to Shanghai International Dance Center. This was a key project during Shanghai's "12th Five Year Plan". Shanghai Dance School, School of Dance of Shanghai Theater Academy, Shanghai Ballet and Shanghai Dance Theatre are all located here so as to make this place the center of creative dance, creation and research, education and training as well as performance and exhibition. Leaders visited the rehearsal room, experimental theater, and coliseum and heard the report on the construction of this center. They also had a cordial talk with the students and actors who are rehearsing folk dance and ballet. 

Han Zheng is visiting and investigating Shanghai International Dance Center. Photo: Chen Zhengbao

Leaders from Shanghai Municipal Government, Dong Yunhu, Yi Hong, Wen Tiehui attended the investigation and forum.

(The photo shows Han Zheng is visiting and investigating Liu Haisu Art Museum. Photo: Chen Zhengbao)