Changning District aims to become a national demonstration zone for public cultural services with additional venues, events and services, aimed especially at overseas residents.

Changning plans to be one of the city’s first batch of pilot districts in cultural services by 2020, the district government said yesterday. Residents can expect to find a library, art gallery, theater or other cultural venues within a 10-minute walk from their homes.

Additional community activity centers of at least 200 square meters will be built or renovated from existing venues in most communities. Cultural activities, exhibitions, training and heritage skills protection events will be held regularly.

Changning is home to a large number of overseas residents, so its public cultural services should have international features and focus on intercultural exchanges, said Wang Wei, an official with the Shanghai culture and tourism administration.

About 70,000 foreigners live in central Changning, about 30 percent of the city’s total foreign population.

The district aims to deepen cultural exchanges with Belt and Road countries and attract more international fashion and culture events.

Cultural festivals will be held in international communities, while folk cultural groups from both home and abroad will be invited to perform.

The function and influence of the Hongqiao International Library will be further enhanced. International cultural events, such as the Shanghai International Art Festival and the world music season will continue to be hosted.

Changning has built 10 city-level and six district-level cultural venues, 10 community culture centers as well as 183 comprehensive activity rooms, Meng Qingyuan, district’s deputy director, revealed.

Key attractions include the Shanghai International Dance Center, Liu Haisu Art Museum and Hongqiao Art Center along with libraries, art galleries, museums and theaters.

Changning is creating two brands, “Changning Music” and “Hongqiao Dance,” he said. A number of events, such as the Changning international lawn piano festival and Yuyuan Road piano festival, are being held annually along with an international ballet contest.