Shanghai's expatriates are welcome to join a newly opened club to share information on where to learn the Chinese language, how to rent an apartment and other living experiences, organizers said yesterday.

The "Club Expat Coffee Experience," on Sunday afternoons, aims to be a regular platform for city expats to share their lives in Shanghai.

Organizers said the club aims to help expats help each other with questions about job opportunities or everyday matters such as how to visit a doctor.

The club was opened at the beginning of this month under the auspices of some enthusiastic people living in Huamu community of Pudong New Area. About 15,000 expats live in the area, accounting for 10 percent of the population, officials with the Huamu Neighborhood Committee said.

"Each Sunday at 2 pm we will meet here for a coffee social. You can chat with your current friends and meet new ones over a cup of coffee and a pastry," said Patrick O'Malley, one of the founders.

"We will organically create an organization and the rules to govern it as we better understand the needs and wants of the expat community."

After several gatherings, the club will identify the major issues affecting expats and may invite experts to give lectures on those topics.

Another founder, who identified himself as Bob, said he couldn't find turkey for Thanksgiving Day in local markets. "But Metro began selling turkeys last year and now I can tell my friends to go there," he said.

A Website is under construction, and the club is seeking Chinese volunteers to help.

The weekly meeting will be held at Huamu Community Center, 4th floor, 289 Meihua Road, Pudong, near the Metro Line 2 Shanghai Science and Technology Museum stop.

Anyone interested in joining the club can call Pat on 1377 432 1804 or Bob on 1592 136 6919.

(Shanghai Daily April 10, 2008)