"Shanghai is an open and inclusive city full of opportunities and challenges and changes happen every day in the city," said Martin Wawra, managing director of Voith Turbo China, the unit of global German engineering corporation Voith Group. He made his remarks in an interview for Shanghai Through Our Eyes, a video series featuring foreign expats discussing their impressions of the metropolis.

Wawra is a German national who came to Shanghai in 1998. "There were only a few buildings when I was looking at Pudong from the Bund," he recalled, "I couldn't imagine that Pudong would develop so quickly and turn into a mega city in such a short time, which gave me so much of a surprise".

"I had been to China three or four times before and knew Shanghai well. We believed that we could live well there," said Wawra. In 2011, he and his wife chose to settle in the city.

Wawra and his family have witnessed great change in Shanghai over the past 10 years.

"Compared with other European cities, Shanghai is an advanced city and develops fast. The city and its people are dynamic. If you haven't been in an area for three or four months, some things have changed when you come back," he said.

What impresses Wawra most is Shanghai's openness and its inclusiveness.

"People here hold an open mind to embrace new things. This is also the spirit of the people - they are also looking for something new. They want to learn and if they don't learn something, they will get bored," Wawra said.

Shanghai is also a green city with evergreen trees and grass. The modern and comprehensive transport networks showcase the city's successful efforts in its green development and environmental protection, according to Wawra.

"The population density of Shanghai is high, while it has improved its urban planning with large-scale green spaces. When walking along the tree-lined sidewalks, I can feel the vitality and vigor of the city," he said.

Wawra also speaks highly of Shanghai's efforts regarding the renovation and restoration of old buildings.

Every city faces the problem of how to retain its old architecture as it develops, said Wawra, adding that Shanghai had done a good job in renovating traditional buildings with new materials while keeping the old structures.

Martin Wawra is a German citizen who came to Shanghai in 1998. He and his family have witnessed  great changes in Shanghai over the past 10 years. [Photo/WeChat account: xmwb1929]