Around Town: Your news round-up for the month of December.
Jackie Chan Unveils Statue In Putuo
The world famous Kung Fu Master and internationally renowned actor, Jackie Chan, announced the opening of a museum in tribute to himself. Last month, the public figure unveiled his statue, Battle Of Harmony, in front of the JC Film Gallery, which depicts Chan posing to fight a large dragon made up of individually crafted miniature Chans. Battle Of Harmony demonstrates that your biggest enemy is yourself. The exhibit will feature costumes and props used in his numerous box office movies as well as highlighting his charity causes. At a total of RMB 40 million, Chan’s exhibition will open to the public at the Changfeng Ecological Business Hub, Putuo District, in April 2014
New Scooter And Motor Bike Regulations
More safety regulations are being put in place for scooter and motorbike users around Shanghai. In addition to an increase in fines across the board for unlicensed vehicles, the use of forged licenses, and sellers of falsified license plates can all be fined up to RMB 5,000.While these measures will not go into effect until next March, the safety regulations will also address the orderly conduct of motorbike users, and will regulate how many riders per vehicle as well as the number of underage riders. Additionally, vehicle users from outside the city must acquire a local license in order to use city roads. The Shanghai Industrial And Commercial Administrative Bureau, as well as the Shanghai Quality And Supervision Bureau, aim to make the roads a safer place for all travellers.
Pudong Opens New Runway
Pudong International Airport has opened its fourth runway, increasing PVG’s capacity to 80 million passengers a year. The 3,800 meter long runway will be used to support China’s much anticipated contribution to air travel, particularly the Chinese made C919 jumbo jet and ARJ21 regional jet. Capable of handling the largest aircrafts currently in use, this new expansion at Pudong International Airport will help to facilitate and increase travel to and from Shanghai’s new Free Trade Zone. In addition to the opening of this new runway, officials plan to start renovations on Terminal 1, transforming the terminal into a seven-story hub, thus making travel easier and more convenient.
Project 179
Teaming up with Shanghai Bund Investment Group, American actor Robert De Niro will be one of the investors in a new property complex set to be completed in 2016. The 76,500 square meter complex will feature an arts centre, boutique hotel, cinema and global retail stores. The complex architecture will feature heavy influences from the 1920s, inviting customers to remember Shanghai’s vibrant past while looking towards the bright future. Expected to be built near The Bund, the new complex will help to raise the area’s profile as one of the city’s premier visitor destinations for tourists across the globe.
China's Largest Autism Research Center
In an effort to improve treatment and awareness of autism, the Children’s Hospital Of Fudan University has announced a three-year plan to create China’s largest autism research, diagnosis and treatment centre. In addition to conducting research and surveys, the centre will also train more than 100 doctors, 100 primary school teachers and 50 special needs teachers on how to identify and provide autism diagnosis in over eight provinces. Due to the fact that there are currently little more than ten hospitals with staff trained in autism identification and treatment, the opening of Fudan’s autism research centre will increase national awareness of the disease and provide greater support for those diagnosed with the disability.