Shanghai – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio joined diplomats from 31 other consular missions last 22 July at a photo exhibit tracing the history of the National People's Congress of China (NPC).

Staged at the historic Shanghai Workers' Cultural Palace in Huangpu District, “Exploration to the System of People’s Congress and its Practice in Shanghai” (sic) featured a well curated collection of historic photographs and facsimiles of historical documents. The exhibit afforded guests a panoramic view of the evolution of the NPC from its beginnings in the Republican era, through the establishment of the People’s Republic, up until the present. Mirroring its stature as birthplace of the CPC, the exhibition also highlighted Shanghai’s prominent role in the People’s Congress’ hagiography.

The tour was hosted by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress (SMPC) led by Professor Gao Deyi, Member of the SMPC Standing Committee and Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Committee. Supporting him were officials of the Shanghai Municipal Government’s Foreign Affairs Office led by Deputy Director General Fu Jihong.

The participating diplomats toured a second exhibition at the premises dubbed “Craftsmen of the Great Country”. Featuring a mix of live demonstrations, displays of vintage items, scale models, and multimedia presentations. the focus was on China’s rich heritage of traditional crafts and artisans, and how the underlying creativity, skill and inventiveness helped drive China’s journey to modernization, industrialization, and technological advancement. END