BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- In Shanghai's West Bund, one of China's fastest-growing artificial intelligence (AI) hubs, young engineers gather after work for yoga classes, unwind with the resident cats in a lounge area, or square off against an AI robot in a game of Chinese chess.
While the atmosphere feels like a bustling startup community hub, this unique space is actually a Party and public service center nestled within the iconic AI Tower, which houses nearly 3,000 researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs.
IN THE SKYSCRAPERS
This 2,200-square-meter facility accommodates dozens of tech firms, and acts as a bridge connecting enterprises, employees and local authorities in one of Shanghai's most dynamic innovation clusters.
When Ms. Cui, who oversees Party affairs at StepFun, an AI startup based in the tower, first visited the center, she initially assumed it was only a venue for hosting meetings and handling routine paperwork.
To her surprise, the center excels at bringing together different groups to solve real-world problems, with its staff always responding to inquiries promptly. When StepFun employees raised concerns about parking fees and meal costs, the center coordinated with property managers and service providers to secure discounts.
Neither change was dramatic, but both mattered to young workers navigating life in the expensive metropolis.
The center's role extends beyond day-to-day concerns. Working with a nearby AI incubator, it also provides free temporary office space for startups awaiting permanent facilities.
This is part of a broader Shanghai effort to extend Party service networks into the skyscrapers that house clusters of multinational corporations, private enterprises and emerging technology firms.
Such initiatives expand across Shanghai. In Lujiazui Financial City, Party groups have organized activities that bring together people who might otherwise remain strangers despite working in the same office building, said Xia Yilin, Party chief of a joint Party branch representing foreign-funded banks in the area.
Some participants have found business partners, while others expanded their professional networks. Foreign employees have also joined volunteer projects. "Office towers are no longer merely workspaces for employees," Xia said. "A strong community bond has taken root here."
The model is not unique to Shanghai. As of the end of 2024, the Communist Party of China (CPC) had 5.25 million primary-level organizations nationwide, with branches extending into neighborhoods, villages, workplaces, schools and other corners of society.
IN THE URBAN COMMUNITIES
In the historic city of Kuqa in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a once-forgotten narrow alley has transformed into one of the city's liveliest tourist attractions.
Today, visitors strolling through Qiuci Alley pass century-old residences, wooden colonnades and vintage household items alongside colorful murals and popular photo spots, a mix of old and new that draws tourists and locals alike.
Just a few years ago, however, Qiuci Alley was a very different place. Most homes had slipped into disrepair, and the area struggled with poor infrastructure. "Conditions here were not very good, and many families who could move had already left," recalled Aynur Mamut, then deputy secretary of a local Party branch.
The turning point came in 2023. With little funding and no professional planning team, Party organizations began meeting with residents, shop owners and small businesses to discuss new approaches moving forward.
Donations eventually raised 30,000 yuan (about 4,399 U.S. dollars), enough to renovate only about 200 meters of the alley. "So we started with 200 meters," one local official said.
Community workers, volunteers and residents spent evenings and weekends clearing debris, repainting walls and restoring public spaces. As improvements took shape, initial doubts gave way to enthusiasm, with more residents eager to help.
"At first, I didn't really understand it," said resident Abdukader Mamtimin, who is in his 60s. "But I could see how much effort people were putting in. Now if there is another renovation project, I'll gladly take part."
As the project expanded, residents became planners as well as volunteers. Families donated old carpets, household items and decorations, while community meetings brought together residents, merchants and local officials to discuss everything from building colors to visitor services.
More than a tourism project, the effort brought residents into the decision-making process while restoring historic buildings and improving public spaces, transforming a fading alley into a model of community renewal.
IN THE MARKETPLACE
At the Yiwu International Trade Market in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, buyers speaking different languages navigate endless rows of stalls selling everything from fashion accessories and sports merchandise to kitchenware and toys.
With more than 75,000 stalls, the sprawling marketplace is widely known as the "world's supermarket."
Inside one accessory shop, merchant Lin Quxiang speaks into her smartphone while a translation device on the counter converts her words into English in real time. Messages from overseas buyers flash across the screen. Her products are exported to more than 10 countries and regions, including the United States and Thailand.
Language barriers once posed a challenge for many small business owners seeking international customers. Today, free language courses and translation tools are available throughout the market, helping merchants communicate more easily with buyers from around the world.
Behind many of these services is a network of local Party organizations that has become deeply embedded in the market's daily operations. As the marketplace expanded from a roadside trading area into a global commercial hub, Party groups evolved alongside it, helping coordinate services, mediate disputes and connect merchants with public resources.
The support extends beyond language assistance. Merchants receive guidance on brand promotion, overseas exhibitions and cross-border e-commerce. Experienced business owners often coach newcomers, sharing expertise ranging from global marketing to online retail operations.
"We try to create an efficient, open and friendly environment for businesses," said Wang Songbing, head of a local branch of the market supervision administration.
Wu Tao, a professor of grassroots Party building at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, said the role local Party organizations play in fostering connections among people is vital to sound governance, particularly in urban communities characterized by high population density and frequent mobility.
"Many tend to view Party bodies purely through a political lens," said Ma Li, a professor of Party building at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. "But at the local level, much of their work involves coordinating services, responding to community needs and bringing different groups together to solve problems." ■
