Television and Radio

In order to receive European language TV channels, you will need a satellite dish. Many apartment blocks and complexes marketed to the expatriate community are equipped with satellite receivers. European language television is also available via the Dream or AsiaSat satellites and installation of a suitable satellite dish to enable you to access these services will cost in the region of 1800 - 2000 RMB.

Internet

Arranging home internet access via DSL, ISDN or dial-up is straightforward. The main ISP is China Telecom and you can request a connection at any of their shops. You will need to show your passport and provide your last month's phone bill. You will not be asked for payment when the line is installed; the charges will be added to your telephone bill.

Internet access in China is filtered to screen out sites that are deemed to be against the ideals of the country. The government's censorship of web sites includes blocking access to the following types of site:

• Sites of political groups
• Religious sites
• Pornographic content
• Sites including news items covering subjects that at suppressed in the Chinese media, such as freedom of speech, democracy and police brutality

Internet cafes are widely available in Shanghai. Some addresses:

• Conker Internet Cafe
  1954 Xin Zha Lu, Shanghai
  Tel: 6218 8985
  Modern equipment, in a non-smoking air-conditioned environment. Drinks and snacks served. Open 24 hours.
  
  
• Shanghai Library Internet Cafe
  1555 Huaihai Zhong Lu Shanghai 200032
  Tel: 6445 5555 (Library)
  Modern equipment and plenty of space, located in the local library.

Free wireless internet access is available in the Super Brand Mall (168 West Lujiazui Road, Pudong, Shanghai) and at a selection of hotels, cafes and restaurants around the city.

Newspapers

The Shanghai Daily is an English language Shanghai-based newspaper, featuring news from all over mainland China.

China Daily also features news from around mainland China.

The Shanghai Star is a weekly tabloid focussed on news from the city and its surrounding areas, with sections for expat news.