Research Help Needed on Africans in Shanghai

Dear friends,
Subject: Research on Shanghai.com
Name: Prof Adams Bodomo
Email: adambodomo@gmail.com
Message
Hello, fellow members of this forum, I am a professor at Hong Kong University (HKU) doing research on Africans in China. The Webmaster has kindly subscribed me to your website so that I can interact with fellow Africans (I am from Ghana but have been resident in Hong Kong for 15 years now, after 8 years of studies in Europe and three years in California, US, as a lecturer at Stanford University).
 
I am currently doing research on Africans in China, which may lead to a book publication or a series of journal articles, and I aim to write a chapter on Africans in Shanghai. This would involve studying the email discussions here to understand what issues, problems and opportunities Africans are facing in Shanghai. But more importantly I would need any information you may have for me. For instance, what is the difference between African lives and experiences in Guangzhou and Shanghai? Or for that matter other places in China? One possible difference: there are clearly places in Guangzhou like Xiaobei rd, Canaan market etc where you can find Africans, but on my visit to Shanghai I didnt find any such places. Nor did my TA who also visited find any such place. Any leads and ideas would be very welcome. The issue of the African presence in China has become a topical area of research among scholars so I look forward to help from my brothers and sisters (sons and daughters).

Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Adam

there isn't an african district in shanghai. the majority of africans in shanghai are university students. therefore i would suggest starting the research from the universities. working africans in shanghai are mostly former graduates from chinese universities and employed by different companies. due to good language skills most africans integrate better in the chinese society and living next to a fellow african isn't a priority. due to the situatio in shanghai i do not forsee this picture changing any time soon. issues? yes there is prejudice (pretty strong) and ignorance on a positive i think chinese do make loyal friends and they can go out of their way to help you out over a fellow chinese.