Mayor Chen Maohui met with the visiting group made up of descendents of the “Four Leading Department Stores” at Shangri-La Hotel on 26th.

Chen introduced the status-quo of the economy, tourism and transportation of Zhongshan, and government’s plan to build the Hometown of Ma Yingbiao in Southern District into a tourists attraction and an education base to spread the stories of the pioneers. Group members expressed their appreciation of the fast and qualified development of Zhongshan, and their will of residence in Zhongshan after retirement. They said they would bring back the creative spirit of their forefathers and contribute their efforts to the development of Zhongshan.

It is known that the founders of the “Four Leading Department Stores” (Sincere, Wing On, Sun Sun, Dai Sun ) in early 1900s are all Xiangshan (Zhongshan) folks. The “Four Leading Department Stores” have had great effect on the formation of commercial culture in Shanghai and in China at large.