Expats learn Kunqu Opera at the Gubei Civic Center as various activities are staged to get expats involved in community life. (Ti Gong)
"It is not an easy job to manage such a big community with a large percentage of expat residents," Tang said. "But we appreciate that they love Shanghai and have made this city their home. We want to make them feel welcome.
Iranian Serrya Forooz is one of those happy residents.
"The environment is clean, and a lot of interesting activities are held in the community," she said "Expats in Shanghai can sometimes feel lonely because they are so far from home."
The Ronghua neighborhood in the Changning District was one of the first residential communities in Shanghai to welcome expats.
With nearly 40 residential complexes and 33,000 residents, it is one of the city's biggest expat communities. Half its residents come from other countries, as well as from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
In 2014, the community created a chamber of 10 counselors, including three from Japan, Spain and the Philippines.
"We built a platform to hear the voices of foreign residents, invite discussions and collect their feedback," said Sheng Hong, Party secretary of the Ronghua neighborhood.
"If they report problems to us, we try to work out solutions," he said. "They are enthusiastic about community affairs and have a pretty good knowledge of China."
Chamber discussions are usually published online so that all residents are informed about happenings affecting daily life there. Topics can range from trifles, like garbage recycling, to more meaty issues like security, food safety and orderly maintenance of shared-bike parking.
Counselors also have had to deal with a few foreign residents who liked to listen to loud rock music at night, drawing complaints from Chinese senior citizens who couldn't sleep through the noise.
The chamber had a hand in assisting in the construction of a Metro Line 15 station after it was asked to comment on two options for the exits and construction dust control.
When a Spanish counselor proposed a unisex toilet at the Gubei Civic Center for the convenience of parents with children, seniors and the disabled, and the proposal was accepted and the project is scheduled to be completed in a year, Sheng said.
An expat counselor proposed an exhibition hall in the civic center, which has now been completed and displays exhibits from residents.
Michelle Teope-Shen, a resident of Shanghai for 18 years, suggested establishing one day a week when residents are encouraged to bring refuse to a recycling depot in the compound as a way of prodding more people to participate.
"It is all about raising awareness and showing caring for others and our environment," she said.
On the whole, Sheng said, the chamber has been extremely useful in creating a harmonious community. Items it tackles may be small but they matter to people.
"In our sharing of ideas and discussing problems," said Teope-Shen, "expats come to better understand the neighborhood. I am proud to contribute to that."
This year, the neighborhood committee plans to expand the number of foreign counselors.
"We want to keep improving this initiative," said Sheng.
