Food, Spices, and Diplomacy: The Spirit of Shanghai Manifested in a Small Chinese City
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, Guo Qiu, a radio journalist for China Global Television Network (CGTN), explores how the core concept of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)-the ”Shanghai Spirit”-manifests in everyday life. In an article titled “Work, Ice Cream, and Diplomacy: How a Small Chinese City Brings the Shanghai Spirit to Life,” she highlights how Yiwu city in Zhejiang province has evolved beyond being just an international trade hub into a place of cultural coexistence and personal interaction among citizens from various countries.
Work, Ice Cream, and Diplomacy: How a Small Chinese City Brings the Shanghai spirit to Life
As the SCO prepares to hold its summit in Tianjin in northern china, attention turns once again to one key phrase: “Shanghai Spirit.”
This regional bloc was established in 2001 by China, Russia, and several Central Asian countries to promote regional security and trust. Today with 10 member states-including India, Pakistan, and Iran-alongside 14 dialog partners and two observer states, the organisation emphasizes not only security but also trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges. It serves as an vital platform for Eurasian cooperation and a prominent voice for Global South solidarity.
But beyond official statements-what does embodying the “Shanghai Spirit” look like day-to-day? Surprisingly clear signs appear within this small trading city in Zhejiang.
Yiwu: The World’s Supermarket
Often called “the world’s supermarket,” yiwu is best known for its massive wholesale markets exporting small commodities globally. Yet beneath aisles filled with trinkets and decorative lights lies a quieter form of international collaboration taking shape.
the city now hosts 52 foreign-owned restaurants representing nearly 20 countries or regions. Originally catering primarily to waves of foreign traders arriving here, these restaurants have become cultural bridges connecting international entrepreneurs with Chinese customers-and with each other.
Spices, Friendship & Everyday Diplomacy
liang Wang is a local spice supplier working closely with many such eateries for over 15 years. His warehouse stocks more then 4,000 types of seasonings imported from India,Turkey Egypt Russia-and elsewhere.
“Indian curry alone requires over 40 different spices,” he says. “We gradually learned their needs-even picked up bits of their language-to understand exactly what they wanted.”
A regular customer is Indian restaurateur Amit Ramani who affectionately calls him “Big boss” with a broad smile; their relationship extends well beyond business transactions.
“In China we realy feel supported,” Ramani explains. “We buy food supplies locally; vendors know us personally-they don’t immediately ask for payment-they sometimes give us goods on credit confidently knowing we will pay later. That builds real relationships.”
This longstanding trust transforms commercial deals into something deeper-a quiet form of intercultural cooperation rooted in respect generosity-and mutual reliance.
Eating With Hands And An Open Mind
the restaurant business that Ramani runs has as flourished-though it wasn’t always so accomplished; he recalls:
“Back in 2004 we served mainly Indian traders-not thinking Chinese people would like our food-but when we showed them how to eat it properly they took liking.”
This is not just about taste-as an example pani puri-a crispy Indian street snack-is meant to be eaten quickly by hand as one joyful bite.
He recollects: “Chinese guests were initially shy accustomed instead used chopsticks or spoons-but we encouraged them ‘wash your hands try it our way’ -and they did-and now they enjoy it.”
Gradually ,Chinese patrons came to make up roughly seventy percent <
<> Breaking Boundaries With Laughter Hospitality and An Open Mind < p >
<
> just streets away Ozcan sezer ,Turkish restaurant owner ,serves increasingly diverse customers . Turkish chefs collaborate alongside Chinese colleagues . Egyptian waiters welcome local visitors foreigners alike . The menu evolved blending customary flavors adjusted for local tastes : adding brown sugar into ice cream moderating spiciness levels .
Sezer – who has resided twenty five years – credits supportive local policies:
“Initially hiring foreign workers was tough but Yiwu eased processes from visas licenses onwards-the support truly helped.”
Yiwu launched several initiatives aiding foreign entrepreneurs including startup assistance plus “Shangyou Card” or Business Friend Card providing easier access municipal services : by early twenty twenty-five over three hundred sixteen thousand cards issued.
sezer now manages sixteen restaurants across five cities intending fifty branches by year two thousand thirty . He brought his family calling China not simply second home but his new home.
Bite-by-bite Cooperation
P
The SCO often conjures strategic terms : security economic corridors infrastructure ; yet here principles materialize less thru policy reports than spice markets shared kitchens trust between culturally diverse people.
at times when global headlines fixate on divisions rivalry these subtle acts hold profound meaning -a vendor learning another language,a chef adapting flavors,a handshake bridging cultures.They remind us that diplomacy need not unfold solely amid formal meetings lavish banquets-it can begin simply-with plate food simple conversation human humble full hope.
