Yu Zhengsheng, secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, talks online with local residents about social, economic and daily life issues in Shanghai yesterday.- Shanghai Daily

Lydia Chen/Shanghai Daily news

The Shanghai Party Secretary held his first online chat with the public yesterday and offered encouraging news on many fronts, including the city's economic prospects, the new housing policy and the streamlining of the residency permit system.

Yu Zhengsheng fielded at least 7,200 questions during the 110-minute session on Eastday.com that began at 9:05am and lasted until 11:15am.