Shenzhen gets in tune with cultural ambitions

Zhang Chen, deputy director of the Huaqiangbei subdistrict office, said: "Huaqiangbei is located in the commercial district in the center of Shenzhen. We have been trying to provide diverse facilities to bring high-quality public cultural services to the area. We are surprised that the public piano project has attracted so many people to play the instruments, and others to watch them perform."

The project is also part of a bigger plan in Shenzhen to build a city culture characterized by openness and inclusiveness, which are the expectations of President Xi Jinping, Zhang said.

In June, Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the first Forum on Building up China's Cultural Strength, which was held in Shenzhen.

He wrote in the letter that the Communist Party of China is committed to securing new successes in developing socialist culture.

"We must fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, better shoulder new cultural missions, increase confidence in our own culture, adhere to the approach of openness and inclusiveness, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and inspire the cultural creativity of the whole nation," Xi wrote.

Zhang said the choice of Shenzhen to host the forum showed that the central government expects the city to take the lead in promoting cultural prosperity, adding that he was impressed by the emphasis placed by Xi on openness and inclusiveness.

"As grassroots civil servants, we will keep in mind the important instructions in Xi's congratulatory letter and work hard to deliver a vibrant, dynamic and thriving community that celebrates diversity, fosters social cohesion, and drives economic and cultural growth," Zhang added.