Name changes

The evolution of such facilities is encapsulated in their changing names.

Before 2015, they were Party member service centers, focusing on education and management for Party members. In 2015, they were renamed Party building service centers, and extended services to Party organizations. In 2019, all such facilities in Shanghai were rebranded Party-mass service centers, expanding their reach to the general public, and marking a leap in the scope and depth of services offered.

"The changes in the name reflect a return to our core service philosophy. We aim for such centers to be places where people feel welcome and turn to when they need help," said Xia.

This shift in philosophy is most directly reflected in the increased visibility and accessibility of these centers. Xuhui was the first district in Shanghai to require such centers to be set up prominently along streets, ensuring residents can easily see and access them as part of their daily routines, Xia said.

Xu Tong, director of Party and mass work in Xuhui's Tianping subdistrict, noted that the evolution of the centers' name reflects the government's intent to provide more services subtly and effectively, allowing residents to resolve issues when they go to community canteens, for instance, instead of needing to call hotlines.

The Tianping subdistrict Party-mass service center, which opened in September last year, incorporated community feedback into its decisions on the location selection, function design, and construction processes. The center included a community canteen and a baby-care room in response to residents' demands. These services have been extremely popular, said Xu.

Several of these facilities in the district have hosted domestic and international government delegations, said Xia, with visitors often impressed by the grassroots facilities and services available to the public.

Carlos Martinez, a British writer and political activist, who visited the Xuhui riverside center in October, said: "The Party-mass service center is a nice example of how the Party and the government here really try to pay attention to the needs of ordinary people, and there is something for the rest of the world to learn from. I think the Party and the government here are accountable to everybody."

The facilities are also home to various Party activities, including ceremonies for new Party members and oath renewals. They offer a variety of educational packages for Party members and organizations, such as stories about scientists and the city's urban development history.

Liu Chang is a worker at the Tianping center, once frequented by many important historical figures, including Soong Ching Ling, the wife of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen, Chen Yi, the first mayor of Shanghai after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and playwright Tian Han, who wrote the lyrics to the national anthem March of the Volunteers.

"Party organizations at the grassroots can book 'walking Party classes' at our center, where they can choose from six walking routes to explore themes around 'the red culture legacy' and 'a renewed Tianping', learning about local history and culture," Liu said.