The bilingual column on the "Measure Yichuan" WeChat official account has celebrated its first anniversary, becoming Shanghai's first community-level government WeChat account to provide regular bilingual updates and helping expats better integrate into local life.

Catering to about 1,000 foreign residents from more than 30 countries in Yichuan subdistrict, the column is supported by a trinity service system comprising bilingual online posts, an offline service station, and a volunteer team speaking 11 languages. It offers community news, activity alerts, policy guides and cultural information.

Expats have participated in a series of offline events, including Spring Festival dumpling-making sessions, Mid-Autumn Festival gatherings, chrysanthemum exhibitions and Chinese opera dress-up performances. Many foreigners have transitioned from being participants to volunteers and content contributors, sharing their stories via the column.

Foreign residents have praised the initiative for fostering a deeper understanding of local culture and creating a sense of belonging. The subdistrict will launch a "foreigner spokesperson" program to encourage expatriates to participate in community governance and engage in cross-cultural communication.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center