New Online Platform For Foreign Nationals in Shanghai
Source: China Daily.
The Shanghai Municipal People's Government has recently unveiled a groundbreaking online portal designed to streamline and enhance the experiences of expatriates and foreign nationals in the city. Officially launched on January 1st, the website, titled "International Services Shanghai," marks a significant advancement in the city's efforts to cater to its diverse international community.
Operated by China Daily, this innovative portal can be accessed at english.shanghai.gov.cn. It is set to become a vital resource for foreigners, providing a wealth of information spanning various aspects such as work, travel, and study opportunities in Shanghai. This initiative is a direct response to the objectives outlined at the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing, which emphasized the importance of removing barriers for foreigners entering China for business, education, or tourism.
Source: Shanghai Municipal People's Government.
"International Services Shanghai" is not just an online resource but a comprehensive platform, integrating with the city's e-governance initiative, “Government Online-Offline Shanghai”. This integration ensures seamless online access for foreign nationals, significantly enhancing the ease with which they can interact with various municipal services. To widen its reach, the portal also boasts its presence on popular social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and WeChat.
Online and offline services
What sets this portal apart is its commitment to engaging the expat community through both online and offline avenues. The platform will host a range of activities including policy introduction sessions, business consultations, and cultural experiences. These events aim to foster a deeper connection between expatriates and the local community, enriching their experiences in Shanghai.
Source: China Daily.
The beta version of the portal has already received positive feedback from the expat community. Michael Wong, a managing partner at Talent Service, Asia Pacific, EY, praised the portal for its role in aiding prospective Shanghai residents in making informed decisions. Similarly, Montealegre Carvajal Edwin Roberto, a student at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, highlighted the portal's usefulness in understanding the intricacies of setting up businesses in the city.
For both newcomers and long-term residents
The portal's benefits extend beyond newcomers to Shanghai. Long-term residents like Natacha Extier, a marketing consultant, have found the website to be a treasure trove of useful information, particularly for conducting business in Shanghai. Clarisse Le Guernic, working in the tourism sector, also noted the portal's utility in helping her provide better information to her clients about the city.
Looking ahead, the website plans to increase its accessibility by offering content in eight additional languages, including Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. This expansion reflects Shanghai's commitment to embracing its role as a global city, accommodating a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Gong Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai, aptly summarized the city's vision during the "Invest in China Year" summit. He described Shanghai as a city brimming with hope and opportunities, an ideal place for entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and build careers. The mayor reaffirmed the city's dedication to creating a market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment. This new portal is a testament to Shanghai's promise to offer high-quality, innovative, and convenient services, working collaboratively with the global community to forge an open and prosperous future.
The launch of "International Services Shanghai" is a significant milestone in the city's ongoing efforts to support and engage its international residents. By providing a comprehensive, accessible, and interactive platform, Shanghai is not only enhancing the living experience of expatriates but also reinforcing its position as a welcoming and inclusive global metropolis.
Have a look at the new platform here.
Source: China Daily (2024). Stdaily.com (2024).
Editor: Ditte van Dalen