Foreign residents share videos that encapsulate their experiences during gala, He Qi, Wu Wanzhen and Lin Shujuan report.

From an executive's birdwatching diary at Chongming Island to a teacher's documentation of her serene life in Shanghai's parks, expats in Shanghai shared videos that traverse a spectrum of their experiences in the city — from exploring local markets to sharing anecdotes about the city's vibrant coffee culture, from discussing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures to recounting their entrepreneurial journeys.

These are just some of the popular works collected during the "Shanghai, My City" short video project that began in February. Over six months, the project attracted more than 200 submissions from the city's expats, with 42 being short-listed. 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 metropolis' rich cultural tapestry.

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The "My City" project illuminated Shanghai Museum East on Sunday during a gala for Shanghai, with nearly 350 international participants and their families celebrating the creative spirit that encapsulates Shanghai's essence.

Kong Fu'an, director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and executive vice-president of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Yang Jun, deputy director general of the Cyberspace Administration of Shanghai Municipality, attended the gala.

The short video entries articulate why global citizens are drawn to Shanghai, showcasing the city's appeal and highlighting urban safety, multiculturalism, abundant opportunities, friendly residents, and convenient living.

The participants hail 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 says. "Everyone's collective effort enables the world to experience an authentic and charming Shanghai."

Kong anticipates that the participating expats will create more short videos and share additional Shanghai narratives to enhance the global understanding of the city and further attract visitors.

In 2024, the country took significant steps to open up further. 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 says. "We look forward to expats here fully developing their influence and serving as bridges for friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries, as well as becoming storytellers of Shanghai and ambassadors for the city's image."

Since Dec 5, 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 his life in the city, showcasing his gigs, dining at local restaurants, and chatting with locals in his video. He also discusses his attachment to the city, which has become more internationally diverse, convenient and safe.

Le Compte, a social media influencer, is not only a versatile musician but also a linguistic whiz. Living in Shanghai since 2008, he has mastered the Shanghai dialect better than most locals.

When he arrived in the city, he says 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 ever in Shanghai because of the buildings, the people, the food, everything," Le Compte says. "If there was a life before, I am sure I was Shanghainese."

Ethan Robertson from the US has lived in China for 10 years and stayed in Shanghai for about six years. In his video, he shares 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 shared bikes for his daily commute. He became so used to digital payments that when he returned to the US, he would forget to bring his wallet to the grocery store.

Above all, Robertson enjoys his life in Shanghai because it is where his dream came true.

Robertson loves cars and driving. He says 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 says. "I 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 new energy vehicles. If you want to think of me as an ambassador to the world for Chinese cars, I'm fine with that."

Mahmoud Soliman, an Egyptian who teaches at the Department of Arabic Language at Shanghai International Studies University, lives with his dog Malika. He adores Shanghai for its pet-friendly environment and convenient international services.

Shanghai is where he came to love dogs due to his frequent, pleasant encounters with his neighbor's dogs. In 2021, he decided to adopt Malika, who has been a constant companion, following him everywhere.

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Home to more than 9,000 cafes, Shanghai has emerged as one of the world's coffee capitals in the past few years and hasn't forgotten to reserve a cup for man's best friend. Malika usually enjoys his "puppiccino" while Soliman savors his fresh brew.

To Soliman's delight, the Shanghai Museum, which hosts a grand exhibition on ancient Egypt, offered 10 cat-friendly sessions, allowing visitors to bring their furry friends.

Soliman says he enjoys exploring the city with Malika and uses the city's newly launched portal International Services Shanghai, which has allowed him to easily keep track of the city's vibrant 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 and shopping.

"That's why I love Shanghai," Soliman says, "because it is such a friendly city."

Contact the writers at heqi@chinadaily.com.cn