Shanghai has been exploring the deep integration of culture and tourism since the beginning of 2026 to stimulate consumer spending linked to films, performing arts, and other cultural attractions.
The city's Wu'an Film District is home to more than 50 film-themed tourist attractions, including the Wukang Building and the Shanghai Film Actors Troupe. Nearly 200 businesses and shops within the district connect the on-screen and off-screen worlds, giving tourists a brand-new experience.
At MetroCity, a popular commercial district in Shanghai, the first animation-themed cinema in China is luring customers to the mall, with sales during the New Year's Day holiday increasing by 7.6 percent year on year.
"It's a great idea to bring the movie scenes closer to us, making them more relevant to our lives," said Ling Yan, a tourist.
In the West Bund in Shanghai's Xuhui District, a vibrant complex integrating culture, tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibition is thriving; Yuyuan Garden, a commercial street highlighting oriental aesthetic elements is bustling with activity; while in the Show Life area of Huangpu District, 27 professional theaters and 116 innovative performance spaces connect a complete chain of performance, consumer offerings and sightseeing.
"Red tourism", themed around the history of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), is another major trend in Shanghai. The site of the First CPC National Congress and the Sinan Mansions attract tourists from all over the country. During the New Year's Day holiday this year, sales at the cultural and creative store at the site of the First CPC National Congress increased by over 90 percent year on year.
Shanghai explores integration of culture, tourism to stimulate spending
Residents living in Canada's biggest city of Toronto have expressed optimism that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's official visit to China can unlock new economic opportunities, particularly in key fields such as artificial intelligence and infrastructure.
Carney is set to arrive in China on Wednesday to begin a four-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking the first trip by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Carney during his stay to provide new strategic guidance for further improving and developing China-Canada relations.
Giving their assessment of the significance of the visit and the outcomes they hope to see achieved, local people in Toronto pointed to the importance of deepening cooperation and view the high-tech sector as one of the most pivotal areas where ties can be enhanced.
"I think, of course, China is probably the leader in AI and new technologies. So, I think Canada can really benefit from Chinese expertise on some of the chip manufacturing or just the use of AI in the medical field, in every other finance field and everything. So, I think this can be very important for Canada to learn from China," said Raman, the provincial liaison manager at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
"I think it is a good idea to strengthen relations with other countries and other trade partners that have been probably more consistent. And especially with things going on in electronics right now and chip manufacturing, I do think that it makes sense at this point in time to be reaching out to China," said Jen, a local nurse.
Some see Carney's visit as an opportunity to broaden the economic agenda in various other key areas.
"I'm actually pretty looking forward to it because they could talk a lot about trade. That could be a good opportunity for Canada and China to explore some other export opportunities on energy, and also, maybe pipeline building, infrastructure building, and also, real estate investment and agriculture," said Xiong Lulu, an equity research analyst.
Looking ahead, many residents emphasize that much depends on whether Carney's visit can translate into concrete agreements.
"It would be nice. I hope there's some kind of good relationship between China and Canada. That would be like a great opportunity that we would miss if we didn't create that relationship with them. So, hopefully, in hindsight, [in] 2026 it does happen," said John, a software developer.
"I think if they can settle some trade deals, that will be great. So, I think it will be great for the Canadian economy," said Xiong.
President Xi and Carney last met on the sidelines of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in October, with both sides agreeing to resume exchanges and cooperation in various fields and jointly advance the development of the China-Canada strategic partnership.
Toronto residents optimistic about Canada-China cooperation prospects
