Shanghai a reflection of China's future

Cosmopolitan metropolis plays significant role in CPC's national development plans

Editor's note: This year, the Communist Party of China is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding. China Daily is publishing a series of stories looking at the tremendous changes that have occurred in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities under the leadership of the Party. They also include stories of the people and places that have left indelible marks in the Party's path to glory.

Walking past posh restaurants and fancy boutique stores in Xintiandi, one of Shanghai's most fashionable lifestyle hubs, one would eventually come across a red and gray-bricked two-story house.

While this building looks no different from rustic shikumen residences that were once commonplace a century ago, it is in fact a significant part of China's history－this venue was where the Communist Party of China was born following a meeting that began here in 1921.