City wows foreign eyes, but familiar ones unimpressed

• Source: Global Times
• [09:01 April 30 2010]
• Comments

Security guards march by the Canada Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai which kicks off with its opening ceremony tonight. Photo: Wu Gang

By Jonathan DeHart

Foreign visitors are giving a thumbs up to heightened security on the city's rails and roads while Shanghai expatriates are questioning the restrictions being imposed on commuters because of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

A first-time visitor from Tasmania said she is surprised at what her eyes are seeing.

"There are fewer peddlers than I expected," she told the Global Times Thursday. "The streets are also very clean; I can't help but wonder if this is due to all the police presence I see in the metro stations and on the streets."

But Shanghai expatriates say the six-month affair that has prompted increased security on public transport, including scanners, random inspections and added patrols, is just for show.

"This extra security is a façade," said a 19-year-old exchange student from Italy who has been living in the city for a year. "There are guards everywhere, but they are just standing around doing nothing."

Others point out that some of these efforts, too, have been hopelessly lost in translation. Even those foreigners who have been living in the city for years are finding it challenging to navigate the increased security measures.

Signs explaining Expo security restrictions that lists the items being banned on subways at People's Square station, for example, are not bilingual, and confusing for non-Chinese readers.

Other posters telling commuters how to respond to emergency, or what rules should be followed on the subway, are also printed only in Chinese.

Fortunately, most Chinese-challenged speakers were able to seek the help of English-speaking volunteers Thursday.

Foreign newcomers, it seems, are appreciating their help, too.

"I've had no problems getting around," an American who plans to drop into the Expo told the Global Times Thursday.

"The subway maps are not difficult to read and the English-language help available from the volunteers makes things easy; plus, with so many people visiting right now, it's pretty simple to stop anyone and ask for directions."