【Starting from the year of 2017, the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, together with district governments, has started hosting the "Internationalized Shanghai Promotion Series" to demonstrate the achievements and future planning of each district and enhance the exchanges and cooperation between Shanghai and the world,so as tohelpShanghai become a global city of excellence. After the first event series was held in Yangpu in the first half year, the second event series, with the theme of “Internationalized Shanghai: Charming New Jing'an, New Development Engine,” took place in Jing’an District—the heart of Shanghai. Eastday.cominterviewed some expats living and working in Jing’an, who talked about what they think of thenew district, especially after its merger with Zhabei District.】

　　Honeybee couple has an interview with Eastday.com in Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC).

　　Back in 2013, a U.S. couple came to Shanghai and settled down in Jing'an District, starting their more than four-year-long “adventure” in China. Aside from the surprises they always encounter, they also enjoy their comfortable lives here in Jing'an.

　　As an architect working in Shanghai, William McCowantogether with his wife Debra had never expected that they would live in Shanghai for such a long time,"We thought we just had to stay here for six months." As an old saying goes,"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." So Debra got herself a Chinese name "Mifeng"(which means “honeybee” in English).And it turned out that the "Honeybee couple" fell in love with Shanghai. Now they go back to the U.S. once or twice a year. Obviously, Shanghai has become their home.

　　William and Debra enjoy the comfortable life, the convenient transportation and the sense of being secure in Shanghai."Safety could be a big issue in a city so big and densely populated. But even when I walk late at night, I've never felt unsafe or uncomfortable." Shanghai is also a friendly city. Whether it is on a bus or in a metro station, people always want to make friends with them. What impresses Debra most is that once she came across an old lady in a metro station who can speak English very well and later became a very good friend of hers. Living in Shanghai, the couple can always get help from their Chinese friends. For instance, since the way of going to see a doctor in China is completely different from that in the U.S., it is very difficult for any foreigner to figure things out in a local hospital, but William and Debra are always taken good care of with the help of their friends and the hospital staff.

　　Speaking of Jing'an, its rich culture is what amazes the couple most. There are various cultural activities and historical buildings. The area is also scattered with parks for them to walk around. Sitting in the park, watching the elderly people who are either playing mahjong or dancing, and the young kids flying kites...What a pleasant life! Debra likes the old buildings on Taixing Road and she always goes to the Jing'an Sculpture Park and the Shanghai Natural History Museum. In her eyes, they are unique, even though they are not as famous as the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden and other landmarks in Shanghai.

　　William is very happy to see the development of Shanghai and what the government has done in terms of infrastructure and public transportation,"For a city so densely populated, that's a great achievement." As for suggestions, Debra hopes the Jing'an government can create a platform for foreigners to get the information they want and communicate with each other, so as to be more aware of what's happening in the district. As a consultant in the field of healthcare architecture,William is more concerned about the construction and design of healthcare facilities,"I hope to see more elderly-friendly, more functional and efficient buildings and designs. The government has put a lot of efforts into it. I thinkShanghai is moving in the right direction."

　　(The interview is arranged by Shanghai Jing’an District Tourism Bureau.)