Two residents sit and enjoy the night view on the Bund in Shanghai Photo:Chen Xia/GT

"Sing a folk song to the Party," 66-year-old Shanghai resident Zhao Fanhua couldn't help but sing a patriotic song to express her excitement after seeing a floral landscape with lights and fountain, in the scene of shikumen (stone-gate) at the People's Square, symbolizing the Communist Party of China's (CPC's) birth in Shanghai in 1921.

The country's financial hub has been decorated with hundreds and thousands of Chinese national flags, and spruced up with floral landscapes and brilliant lights. Tourists have been seen either taking photos or sightseeing in the bustling areas of Shanghai. 

From a 12-year-old child to a 75-year-old, dozens of residents interviewed by the Global Times expressed their appreciation toward the CPC and said the happy lives they are living now did not come about easily. 

Inspiring the next generation

Lasting six minutes, a light show along the Huangpu River on Wednesday night amazed locals, featuring laser lights and music on over 300 buildings on both sides of the river, changing different colors and displaying significant moments during the country's revolutionary history.

"Very powerful, bright and exciting," 26-year-old Chen Zilin, studying his doctor's degree at Shanghai-based Tongji University told the Global Times about his feelings after watching the show. 

As a CPC member himself, Chen said young people like him should continue to "carry on with the Party's original intention" to make efforts for the great rejuvenation of the nation.

Chen's opinion was echoed by another young CPC member, 25-year-old white-collar Guo Wanyu, who is from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and now works in the financial sector in Shanghai. Inspired by her father, who was a teacher and also a Party member, Guo hopes to take a leading role in her daily life and transfer positive energy to others, "I want to help others more and contribute to society as much as possible."

Wearing a clean white shirt, with a Party emblem pinned on her clothes, Guo was filled with passion and energy. She and her partner were taking a video in front of the Memorial of the First National Congress of the CPC in Xintiandi to record the historical moment and told the Global Times that they will go to other "red sites" on the day after. "I firmly believe our country will have a good fortune."

While working as a grass-roots civil servant, Lu Hengqing, 30, also a Party member told the Global Times that his wish was to "serve more people and help make my country become richer and stronger," noting that he was committed to improving people's sense of satisfaction."

The Global Times noticed that many energetic young people were taking group photos at the Memorial of the First National Congress of the CPC, and some paid tribute to revolutionary martyrs in Longhua Memorial of Revolutionary Martyrs. They felt the motherland's strength brought them benefit and pride.

23-year-old Shanghai resident Yao Jiaying started her UK study in 2019. When the coronavirus pandemic was sweeping across the European countries in 2020, "Facing a shortage of daily commodities and medical supplies, I was worried and had concerns," Yao told the Global Times.

However, "we received a gift bag full of pandemic prevention supplies from our motherland and greatly felt warmth and comfort," Yao smiled.

Upon graduating, Yao returned to her hometown Shanghai as she had a deepening understanding of the Party after experiencing the different culture in the West.

Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Dramatic change

Shanghai has set its goals for GDP growth by more than 6 percent in 2021, and has committed to give full play to high-quality development. The city still saw an increase of 17.6 percent year-on-year in terms its GDP in the first quarter of this year, with almost all major indicators performing strongly, despite the impact of COVID-19.

"My pension was increased to 4,000 yuan ($618.86) from 200 yuan two decades ago," a 75-year-old retired Shanghai resident surnamed Chen told the Global Times. "With this money, I can buy whatever I want and dine regularly at restaurants."

The COVID-19 epidemic brought some challenges to different industries. "I really appreciate the CPC for its leadership in guiding the Chinese people to win the battle against the pandemic so that every family can live a better life through hard work," Wang Haicheng, 44, a courier in Shanghai who was amazed by the night view and atmosphere celebrating the Party's birthday, told the Global Times.

Cheng Jianzhong, 64, an associate professor from Chengdu University of Technology, spent his vacation visiting Shanghai to celebrate the Party's birthday. Shanghai has proposed to enhance its "soft power," which refers to cultural and spiritual aspects, Cheng told the Global Times, noting that he could feel the atmosphere of the metropolis backed by its history and culture, which is different from that of other cities. 

The city has changed a lot over the past decades; it is "attractive to young job hunters" no matter whether they are graduates, post-graduates or PhD holders, Cheng noted. 

Despite not being Party member, Shanghai resident Fu, 46, agreed the Party has led Chinese people out of poverty and constantly innovates, improves and makes progress itself.

Along with local tourists, foreigners were also enjoying the atmosphere at Yuyuan Garden, which was glistening with nightlights. A French diplomatic who preferred to remain anonymous told the Global Times, "it is an extremely important moment for the people of China, everything is done to have a very festive and very beautiful anniversary." 

"The Party looks very well after its people. Now everybody can read, they go to school, they fight very well against poverty," the French diplomat said. 

After enjoying the amazing night show, Zhao Fanhua couldn't help but sing a beautiful song: "Sing a folk song to the Party, compare the Party to mother; my mother only gave birth to me, the Party shines in my heart."