Video: Global Times

Dozens of foreign diplomats visited the Gubei Civic Center in Shanghai on Thursday to experience the city's international friendly services at this international residential community, known as the "little United Nations" since it is home to 33,000 residents including expats from over 50 countries and regions.

The 2,500-square-meter, three-floor civic center provides services related to residents' daily lives such as issuing work and residency permits for foreigners. On the first floor, there is an exhibition area with pictures and documents showing residents participating in consultations on draft laws. 

On the third floor, several residents were discussing social public affairs. The Ambassador of Mauritius to China, Alain Wong, was quite impressed by the consultations and asked residents how they represent their community's residents. 

They have a community opinion platform based on "collected opinions," Michelle Teope-Shen, a Filipino resident living in the community replied. "I only share, I don't make decisions," she said, noting that the platform collects opinions from other residents to ensure the decisions made are sound and democratic.

Ambassador Alain Wong told the Global Times on Thursday that the CPC wants to look after people first. "Every Chinese in this country is well-looked after."

In the past five years, consultations on 55 draft laws were undertaken in Shanghai's Hongqiao sub-district. A total of 1,001 suggestions were solicited during the meetings, with 72 adopted to varying degrees in national laws, according to the Gubei Civic Center.

Maria Gustava, Mozambican Ambassador to China was also very impressed by the center's organization. She said the center serves as a warm home for foreigners and also "gives them an opportunity to make decisions about the development of the community." 

She said that, from what she could see, foreigners can apply for certain requirements and live happily among Chinese, which is "a very good symbol" for the opening of Shanghai to the world.

When she visited the service center for foreigners on the first floor, she asked some staff about the process of handling residence permits and received a detailed introduction. Chilean Ambassador to China Luis Schmidt meanwhile played the piano spontaneously.

The event was organized by the International Department of Central Committee of the CPC and Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC. It is part of the events of Shanghai's Achievements in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: A Special Thematic Dialogue.