Shanghai has been the window for Chinese opening up to the world. As a fore-runner of reform and opening-up, Shanghai has been welcoming guests from all over the world with a new appearance and inclusive mind. Statistics show that Shanghai has the biggest number of permanent foreigner residents in China, increasing from 45.3 thousand in 2000 to 169 thousand in 2016. They come from different regions and countries and work in various fields. Like all local citizens, they experience the city’s enormous change. Here we bring their stories to you.

Shui Lang, an Italian restaurant boss gives thumbs up to the Shanghai city. [Photo/ Wechat account: SPAFFC]

Roberto Bernasconi is an Italian foodie who runs the Italian restaurant “Porto Matto” in Shanghai. As the major-- criminal psychology he majored in, his Chinese name is also quite cool--“Shui Lang”. After thirteen years in Shanghai, Shui Lang has almost become a real Shanghailander.

When asked about the reason why he came to China, he told us that “all was because of love”. A dozen years ago, Shui Lang encountered a Shanghai girl in Italy and fell in love with her, when she finally decided to come back to hometown, Shui Lang followed her step.

Shui Lang shows a hand heart when talking about the reason he came to Shanghai. [Photo/ Wechat account: SPAFFC]

Talking about his present life here,“from sidewalk snack booth to steamed stuffed bun and barbecue, as well as delicate Shanghai-style cuisine in restaurants, all these are my favorite ones.”said Shui Lang happily,“I especially love hot pot, no matter Shanghai style hot pot or Sichuan spicy hot pot or Beijing hot pot, they all agree very well with me. There are almost no dishes I do not like.”

“Sometimes, I could find some small restaurants located in alleys where foreigners usually not visit. You can't boast dishes there too much, and their price is low. You even could feel embarrassed for paying so little to taste such delicious food.”

Shui Lang poses cooly in front of the bar counter of his Italian restaurant. [Photo/Wechat account: SPAFFC]

As long as he is free, Shui Lang will stroll around large streets and small lanes to look for cate. For him, life in Shanghai is safe and pleased. Sometimes, he would ride on his motorbike to lanes he has not been to to have a taste of barbecue and beer with friends.

In Shui Lang’s mind, all these areowed to the safety of Shanghai.“In Puglia, several years ago when I went out with a female, I would send her to the door of her courtyard and now I even would send her to her door. But in Shanghai, for girls with miniskirts and high-heeled shoes coming out of disco at two o'clock at midnight, when waiting for a bus or taxi, anything unpleasant could hardly happen to them.”

"In Shanghai, I often tell foreign ladies, 'madam, you could feel free to carry your leather bag. you could feel free to wearagold necklace, and you are safe. Even if anything happens, one thing is for sure, that is the criminal will be caught, and pay the price.’”

Shui Lang talks thoughtfully during the interview. [Photo/ Wechat account: SPAFFC]

Besides the safety, the most impressive thing for Shui Lang is the city’s transportation. He thinks Shanghai’s transportation is incredibly well developed.“If you have been to Rome in Italy, you’ll know why I say that. Shanghai’s metro is excellent at its safety, punctuality and cleanness.”

The man who likes chatting with people not only gets along well with families but also loves citizens here.“I feel at home when I stay in Shanghai. During the past 13 years I stay here, I only quarreled for four times, two times with French, one time with Italian and one time with German.”

However, Shui Lang also pointed out some problems. Sometimes, some unlicensed taxis would cause troubles for passengers’trips. Moreover, he occasionally met with some individual young men who have incorrect values, unreasonably valuing too much of which brand of car they drive or how many houses they own. As for the increasingly progressive technology, although it indeed changes the city’s lifestyle, people should see the opposite side of these technologies. For instance, online shopping makes life more convenient but interrupts human communication.“The Chinese government has solved lots of big problems, I believe it can also handle with these small problems.”Shui Lang smiled.

Shui Lang recommends Shanghai, a city full of opportunities and risks and a city embodies his love to foreigners,“if you want to come to Shanghai, do not hesitate. Here is the safest place in the world.”He also reminds,“but you should be humble and sincere and not to seek personal privileges because of your foreigner identity.”

(Story by Jia Haoyu;
Photos by Xi Lian;
Lin Xiaoying contributed to the interview;
Thanks to Italian restaurant Porto Matto, Commercial Department of Consulate General of the Republic of Italy in Shanghai; China-Italy Chamber of Commerce)