Shanghai mayor vows to enhance city’s soft power on IBLAC

Shanghai will increase the city\'s soft power by driving economic reforms, openness, and environment protection, mayor Yang Xiong said today. Soft power is an important source of a city\'s attractiveness, cohesion, and influence,\" Yang said at the 25th International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC) today. \"Eying the future, lifting Shanghai\'s soft power is the most important in promoting innovation and transformation.\" The city will prioritize improving public cultural facilities, reducing government interference in economy, opening up further to foreign capital, increasing transparency of administrative information, cutting energy consumption, and adding greenery construction. Shanghai has vowed to cut PM2.5 density by 20 percent by 2017, according to a plan fighting against air pollution.