Archives recall the growth of a city

2019-05-21

Visitors take pictures of items on display at the Shanghai Archives about the liberation of Shanghai in 1949 and the city’s development over 70 years.

An exhibition about the liberation of Shanghai in 1949 and the city’s development over the past 70 years opened on Monday at the Shanghai Archives.

There are around 150 items on display, including documents, photos and publications, with about a third from the city and district archives being shown for the first time.

They recall the liberation of the city and its achievements in revolution and reform.

The exhibits cover political, economic, social and scientific and cultural fields with highlights including work reports written by Chen Yi, the city’s first mayor after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

A Xinhua news agency report details how the People’s Liberation Army took over Shanghai from Kuomintang forces as well as how local people welcomed the PLA soldiers. Other documents and photos show how the city’s economic and social development stabilized after liberation.

Manufacturing reports of China’s first 10,000-ton hydro-press machine from the Jiangnan Shipyard and the Fenghuang (Phoenix) car, a domestically manufactured limousine, are also on display for the first time to showcase the city's industrial achievements.

A book on display records the world’s first successful limb replantation surgery after a worker had his right hand amputated by a machine. The operation was carried out at the Shanghai No. 6 People’s Hospital in 1963.

A visitor examines photographs on show at the Shanghai Archives.

Visitors browse historical photos and documents on display.

The city’s rapid urban development is also well displayed. Historical documents show the construction application for the first tunnel across the Huangpu River, the early urban planning of the city approved by the State Council as well as the treatment of the Suzhou Creek and a relocation report of the city’s early slum known as Fangua Lane near the Shanghai Railway Station.

“These documents offer valuable references to the city’s development nowadays,” said Xu Weiwan, curator of the Shanghai Archives. “They are also the common memory of Shanghai citizens."

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Shanghai, the city’s Internet Information Office and the city’s archives jointly launched a serial report program on the city’s seven decades of development. Mainstream local media, including Shanghai Daily and its new media platform SHINE will present a series of reports and products for the celebration.

The exhibition is also part of the events for International Archive Day on June 9. Over 200 events will be organized including exhibitions, lectures and photo collections. Citizens from all walks of life will be recruited to serve as guides at the archive to explain the city’s history and development to visitors.

The exhibition, jointly hosted with the 16 districts’ archives, is being held on the eighth floor of the Shanghai Archives at 9 Zhongshan Road E2. It is open to the public free from 9am to 5pm, except for Sundays.

Work reports written by Chen Yi, the city’s first mayor after the founding of the People’s Republic of China

A book and hospital discharge certificate about the world’s first successful limb replantation surgery after a worker had his right hand cut off by a machine

A photograph and test report on the Phoenix car, the first domestically manufactured limousine in Shanghai in 1958

A photo and manufacturing reports of China’s first 10,000-ton hydro-press machine from the Jiangnan Shipyard

Visitors look at historical publications on display at the Shanghai Archives.

Source: SHINE

Editor: Liu Qi