Shanghai heart-throb TV star finds new passion behind the camera lens

Hu Ge accepts China Daily's interview in London during the Amazing Shanghai event, on June 13, 2016. [Photo by Liu Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Hu was appointed as the tourism ambassador of Shanghai this January. During his two-year tenure, he will appear in videos, illustrated books and major events to promote the city's image such as the ongoing "Amazing Shanghai" campaign in London.

"As a Shanghai native, I feel very lucky and honored to be the ambassador. I love the city and it is an opportunity for me to further understand my hometown," Hu said during an interview with China Daily on Monday. "It also means responsibility since I am not only representing myself but also the city," Hu said.

It has long been a tradition for Shanghai to polish its brand with the help of celebrities from various fields. Former NBA star Yao Ming and Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang, both Shanghai natives, were selected as the city's faces before.

"If Yao Ming (2.29 meters tall) is the Shanghai's height (gaodu in Chinese), Liu Xiang is Shanghai's speed (sudu in Chinese), then I am Shanghai's Baidu (the top searching engine in China)," Hu quipped.

"So while in Shanghai we do have the picturesque Bund, a living example of British and Western architecture, best of class restaurants and leisure; we also have the old town with Shanghai-style Shikumen houses adorned with beautiful stone arches, and the many interesting alley ways full of diverse arts and culture that make my hometown so dynamic,", Hu said in a special message for the campaign.

"It does help a lot to promote Shanghai with celebrities from various fields," said Chen Jingxi, deputy director of Shanghai Information Office, "but the ambassadors need to be not only famous, but also good in reputation."