Wu Yanheng (Left), known as a "diplomat" at the Changjiang International Community in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, establishes the House of Chinese and Foreign Friendship called "U&I". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A diplomat usually refers to an official appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with one or more states or international organizations.

But at the Changjiang International Community in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, there is a special "diplomat" named Wu Yanheng.

Actually, Wu is a full-time housewife who was given the title by local residents due to her continuous efforts of helping foreigners living in the Changjiang International Community with various problems.

Wu, born in 1960, had lived in Philippines for 18 years since her husband was assigned to work at the Asian Development Bank by the Chinese government in 1988.

Thanks to the decade-long overseas experience, Wu completely understands all kinds of inconvenience that a person who lives in an overseas country encounters. During which period, Wu also received lots of help from her foreign friends.

Therefore, when she returned to China and settled down in Changjiang International Community in 2006, she started her volunteering services using her advantage of language to help the 600 foreign families in the community.

She has served as a bridge between the foreigners and the community administration, helping both sides communicate with each other.

She also helped her foreign neighbors find appropriate schools for their children, get medical treatment, find lost bicycles, fix broken door locks, buy imported food, solve legal disputes, deal with administrative formalities, and many other daily life matters. No matter how small the issues are, Wu will patiently help the foreigners if they turn to her.

Chinese and overseas residents at the Changjiang International Community in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, gather together to celebrate Christmas. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Additionally, Wu has been dedicated to promoting the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. She introduces traditional Chinese culture and Wuxi's traditions and customs to her foreign friends to help them better adapt to life in China, and also encourages foreigners to share cultures of their countries, helping them better understand each other.

A variety of culture-featured activities have been held at the Changjiang International Community since 2008, including celebrations on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, and Christmas, fashion shows to display costumes of different countries, and cooking activities to present delicacies of different countries.

Wu said, "We hope foreigners who live and work in Wuxi to have a sense of belonging and want them to gain a better understanding of Wuxi and China's culture and history. When they return to their country, they can also help promote Chinese culture."

In 2008, Wu initiated to establish a volunteer organization called YOU&ME, bringing together the community's Chinese and foreign residents to do various charitable activities, such as charity bazars to raise funds to help children from poor families continue their education, and donation activities to send books and school supplies to students in remote areas such as Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.

Wu often said that when she helps others she feels satisfied and great joy.

Foreign residents at the Changjiang International Community in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, display their traditional costumes at a fashion show organized by Wu Yanheng. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]