For distinguished researcher Dr. Wolfgang Röhr, Shanghai is an example of a metropolis with a high degree of integration between tradition and modernity, and few cities can radiate their influence to the world like Shanghai.

Likewise, the city is attractive to noted Italian designer and researcher Aldo Cibic. For him, Shanghai has become a place full of curiosity, energy and vitality.

On October 28, hundreds of experts and industry representatives including Wolfgang Röhr and Aldo Cibic took part in the 2021 Global City Culture Forum (Shanghai), sharing their views on digital transformation and the enhancement of urban soft power.

It has become an important part of the city’s comprehensive competitiveness to drive the transformation of urban production and lifestyle as a whole through digital transformation and enhancement of the city's soft power.

Having been working in Shanghai for nearly 15 years, Wolfgang Röhr is no stranger to Shanghai’s cultural landmarks, like the Museum of Art Pudong and the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. In his opinion, besides the high-standard hardware facilities, soft power will continue to play a decisive role in urban construction and development.

“A global city provides conditions for a booming economy and highly prosperous culture, while there is inherent symbiosis between the urban economy and its cultural and artistic development,” said Zhou Zhenhua, director of the Shanghai Global City Research Center. A global financial center and a global cultural and artistic center have a high degree of overlap. A global city of excellence cannot only allocate global resources at a high and strategic level, but also should be an inspiring place where cultural and artistic products are widely offered and consumed.

Dr. Hisham Azmy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt, offered a reference for Shanghai to learn from. As he explained, the “Digital Egypt” program in his country is focused on digital transformation, digital skills for employment and digital innovation, under whose framework, cultural institutions such as the Cairo Opera House, museums, and libraries will launch live events on specific portal platforms.