Canton Tower a 'high' connection between government and its citizens

The Canton Tower. Photo by Zhang Yu’an

The 600-meter high Canton Tower is the landmark of metropolitan Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong province. The tower’s construction was completed in September 2009 for the 2010 Asian Games in the city. Since then, the tower has been a major attraction for tourists from all over the world.

A young couple poses against the sunset’s glow on the sightseeing platform of the Canton Tower. Photo by Zhang Yu’an

However, Guangzhou citizens probably may not find a close bond with the tower, despite of the fact that they are very proud of the landmark building. It not only adds a fresh, novel image to the 2,000-plus-year-old city, but helps lure more domestic and overseas tourists to Guangzhou, also known as capital of flowers.

But now, citizens will find a “high” connection between them and the tower as the city’s government has launched a public welfare campaign,“Good Night, Guangzhou” to encourage its citizens to express their best wishes to their beloved ones, demonstrate their affection for the city and even off their suggestions to the government.

Lao Lishi (right), former world diving champion, speaks at the campaign launch ceremony. Photo by Zhang Yu’an

Between June 16 and Aug 31, individuals and organizations in the city and even from other places can submit their participating works to the organizers and the top six winners will be awarded with cash ranging from 5,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan. Then, the winning works, in the format of the written word, short video or animated cartoon, will be displayed on the 6,500-square-meter LED screen on the 355 to 407-metersection of the Canton Tower.

Citizen representatives look up towards the Canton Tower at the campaign launchceremony. Photo by Zhang Yu’an

At yesterday’s campaign launch ceremony, a total of 19 greetings and wishes collected from citizens were displayed on the huge screen, which could be seen miles away.

One of the most touching pieces is from Yu Liting, a college graduate from a single-parent family, according to a report by the Guangzhou Daily.

Yu’s worksays: “Daddy, are stars in the sky bright?” Her father, who she misses deeply, passed away from cancer before her college graduation. She felt regretful because she did not have the chance to show her filial piety to her father.

“Now, he might be one of the stars in the sky,” she was quoted.

Night view of the 600-meter-high Canton Tower. Photo by Zhang Yu’an

According to the organizers, the local government has decided to allocate about 10 minutes, or one sixth of the total daily commercial display time, to public welfare services. In September last year, the government allowed the Canton Tower to display commercials every evening, making the tower one of the first major landmark buildings in the mainland cities to do so.

Local officials said that they are also considering working with other major cities in the world and Guangzhou’s foreign sister cities to launch campaigns on major events or red letter days simultaneously to express their best wishes to the world.

The Canton Tower LED screen is also used to display important messages on emergency days such as typhoon alerts and greetings on the New Year and Chinese New Year eves.