A gala night for a collection of short videos with the theme of Shanghai, My City illuminated the Shanghai Museum East on the evening of Dec 22.
Nearly 350 international participants and their families attended to celebrate the creative spirit that encapsulates Shanghai’s essence.
Kong Fu’an, director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and executive vice president of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Yang Jun, deputy director general of the Cyberspace Administration of Shanghai Municipality, were both present for the occasion.
Kong Fu’an, director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and executive vice president of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, addresses the event. [Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government]
Yang Jun, deputy director general of the Cyberspace Administration of Shanghai Municipality, addresses the event. [Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government]
The Shanghai, My City short video project began in February and, over six months, attracted over 200 submissions from the city’s expats, 42 of which were shortlisted.
At its core, the event sought to inspire international participants to encapsulate their Shanghai experiences through short videos, offering a glimpse into their daily lives and fostering a deeper appreciation for the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
From an executive’s bird-watching diary on Chongming Island to a teacher’s serene documentation of life in Shanghai parks, the video content traversed a spectrum of experiences — from exploring local markets to sharing anecdotes about Shanghai’s vibrant coffee culture, from discussing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures to recounting entrepreneurial journeys.
These entries articulated the myriad reasons why individuals worldwide are drawn to Shanghai, showcasing the city’s appeal through lenses highlighting urban safety, multiculturalism, abundant opportunities, friendly residents, and convenient living.
The participants hailed from 36 countries, including Japan, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Argentina, Pakistan, Egypt, and Zimbabwe.
“I am deeply moved by these videos,” Kong said. “Everyone’s collective effort enables the world to experience an authentic and charming Shanghai.”
Kong expressed his anticipation that the participating expats would create more short videos and share additional Shanghai narratives to enhance the global understanding of Shanghai and further endear visitors to the city.
In 2024, China and Shanghai took significant steps to continuously open up. China implemented a 30-day visa-free policy for 38 countries and extended the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 54 countries.
“Currently, 560,000 international tourists are staying in Shanghai each week,” Kong said. “We look forward to the expats here fully developing their influence, continuing to serve as bridges for friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries, as well as storytellers of Shanghai and ambassadors for the city’s image.”
Since Dec 5, a total of 42 works out of the more than 200 submissions have been featured on social media platforms domestically and internationally, captivating audiences with diverse narratives and artistic interpretations.
Tobias Le Compte, a Belgian musician who plays at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, shares in his video his life in the city, showcasing his gigs, dining at local restaurants, and easy chats with locals. He also discusses his attachment to the city, which, as he said, has become ever more internationally diverse, convenient, and safe.
Tobias Le Compte, a Belgian musician, gives a guitar solo at the gala. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/english.shanghai.gov.cn]
Tobias, a social media influencer himself, is not only a versatile musician but also a linguistic whiz. Living in Shanghai since 2008, he has come to master the Shanghai dialect better than most locals.
He said the moment he arrived in the city, he felt like he was “coming home”. “That’s the first feeling I had with Shanghai, and I decided to stay. It was the best choice I ever made because every single day, I feel like the happiest person I can ever be in Shanghai because of the buildings, the people, the foods, everything,” Le Compte said. “If there was a life before, I’m sure I was Shanghainese.”
Ethan Robertson from the United States has been in China for 10 years and has stayed in Shanghai for about six years. In his video, he shared his life in the city as an automotive influencer.
Despite being a car reviewer, Robertson doesn’t have a car. One major reason is that “Shanghai is so convenient”.
He takes the subway and uses a shared bike for his daily commute. He had become so used to digital payment that when he returned to the United States, he would forget to bring his wallet when grocery shopping.
Yet, above all, Robertson enjoys his life in Shanghai because it is where his dream came true.
Robertson loves cars and driving. He said China’s automobile industry is currently “the center of attention for the world”, with Shanghai playing an important role.
“My dream has always been to find a job that combines my interests and expertise, but I didn’t expect that dream to come true in Shanghai,” he said. “My job is to provide objective reviews of Chinese cars from a foreign perspective to help people inside and outside China better understand the rapid progress of the Chinese automotive industry, especially China’s new energy vehicles. If you want to think of me as an ambassador to the world for Chinese cars, I’d be fine with that.”
Mahmoud Soliman, an Egyptian who teaches at the Department of Arabic Language at Shanghai International Studies University, lives with his pet dog, Malika. He adores Shanghai for its pet-friendly living environment and convenient international services.
Shanghai is where he came to love dogs due to his frequent, pleasant encounters with his neighbor’s pet dogs. In 2021, he decided to adopt his own. Malika has been a constant companion, following him almost everywhere, such as to cafes in the city.
Home to more than 9,000 cafes, Shanghai has, over the past few years, emerged as one of the world’s coffee capitals, and yet, it hasn’t forgotten to reserve one cup for man’s best friend. Malika usually enjoys his “puppiccino”, while Soliman savors his fresh brew.
To Soliman’s surprise, the Shanghai Museum, which is showcasing a grand exhibition on ancient Egypt, even hosted 10 cat-friendly sessions, allowing owners to bring their furry friends.
Soliman said he enjoys exploring the city with Malika and the city’s newly launched portal, the International Services Shanghai, which has allowed him to easily keep track of the city’s vibrant life scene. The multilingual portal provides detailed service information, news updates, and useful tips specifically designed for Shanghai expats seeking information on business, employment, travel, education, or shopping.
“That’s why I love Shanghai,” Soliman said, “because it is such a friendly city.”
A show is performed during the gala. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/english.shanghai.gov.cn]
Participants enjoy the evening’s performances. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/english.shanghai.gov.cn],https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20241223/dbf3ddbf0d834afaacf871cc84d5fc0e.html