A bilingual ride-hailing driver in Shanghai is gaining widespread attention on overseas social media platforms for his fun-loving approach behind the wheel and enthusiasm for his job in providing high-quality services to international passengers.
The popular driver, who goes by the name of 'Seven Wang' has over 1,000 international clients on his list, while his entertaining in-car videos have gone viral online and made him an unlikely viral star.
His vehicle itself highlights just how big a hit Wang is worldwide, with the interior decorated with paper notes from different countries, gifted by customers who are happy with his service.
"This was the first tip I ever received — it was in British pounds. After the passenger gave it to me, I stuck it right here. Then came euros, and more followed. Each foreign bill is a little memory from the road," he said.
Wang, who mastered the English language all on his own, moved on from his job in the IT sector several years ago and has now carved out a new career which helps connect him with clients from all around the world.
"An Indian passenger recommended some Indian songs for me to listen to. Take a look, some songs I found myself, and many were recommended by passengers. It becomes a cultural exchange. The vibe is always great," he said.
The driver's friendly personality means he always builds up a strong rapport with his clients, who he keeps in regular contact with.
"I stay in touch with repeat passengers — messages, calls, and a bit of online interaction. Wherever they are, they remember there's a driver in Shanghai who cares. They even share my videos, bringing in more new riders," he said.
Since last year, Wang's business has really taken off amid a continuing "China Travel" trend, with relaxed visa policies in recent months bringing in more and more visitors. Many clients have returned — whether for business trips or leisure travel — and they have been booking Wang's services in advance.
"Thanks to China's visa-free policy, both tourism and business travel have surged. With summer and school holidays coming up, plus this favorable policy, inbound traffic is set to spike," he said.
China has been steadily adjusting and optimizing its visa policies to boost cross-border mobility. It now offers unilateral visa-free entry to 43 countries. In 2024, China recorded 3.39 million entries under its unilateral visa-free policy, representing a 1,200 percent increase from the previous year.
Social media star driver proves popular among int'l passengers in Shanghai
Social media star driver proves popular among int'l passengers in Shanghai
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing.
Xi urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective manner, and press ahead with the anti-corruption fight with a clearer understanding and stronger resolve, thus providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
Xi pointed out that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee had intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption, achieving notable results. Xi said efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.
Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership.
Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said.
Xi noted that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.
He stressed that all are equal before the law and regulations, that compliance with them admits no privilege, and that enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception.
Xi underscored that the fight against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose, and must never lose.
He said that the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex, and that the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous. Xi added that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide.
Stressing the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, Xi urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, so as to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts.
He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration, and called for sustained efforts to forge a loyal, upright and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision force that dares to and is good at fighting against corruption.
Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI, Li also delivered a work report.
Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures
