Jessie Jiang (center) from Chongqing opened C's bar with her sister a decade ago. Provided to China Daily

New Shanghainese

The new Shanghainese who have fused their cultural identities with the locals are often highly skilled, according to some pundits.

"The new Shanghainese tend to be better educated with more work experience and a lot of practical skills to achieve success in their careers," said Zhou Haiwang, deputy director of the Institute of Urban and Population Development Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

Local residents have accepted the arrival of those born since the early 1980s and are eager to accommodate them, he added.

"Shanghai is an attractive city full of opportunities for outsiders," said Yu Hai, a sociology professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.

"It offers enough freedom for people from other cities and countries to make their dreams come true and blend into the local culture."

"However, certain adjustments should be made to improve the social welfare of new arrivals, who feel insecure about being different. The city should not only attract talented professionals, but also welcome low-paid laborers."

Some migrant workers struggle as their access to essential public services falls short.

"It is quite difficult to live and work on par with locals if you don't have a Shanghai hukou, which is tough to get," said 27-year-old Xiu Shui, who came here three years ago to work as a Web engineer.

He said many people from other places in the country still find it hard to befriend Shanghainese, who often keep to their own social circles built on friendships established in childhood.

"We have mixed feelings about the city. It is rich and diverse, but we also feel the loneliness of the outsider, so we go trekking and do other activities to cheer each other up," he said.

yuran@chinadaily.com.cn