Like other spouses of consuls, Vivian Chang acts as a bridge between two countries and cultures. But Vivian is the bridge of all bridges, as she is CSS's liaison officer, responsible for communication between CSS and the local community, government and Shanghai Women's Federation.
Born in Hong Kong, she migrated to the United States at the age of 10. She majored in Mandarin and French at Georgetown University and completed her studies at the University of Paris at the Sorbonne. It was through a delegation of China's provincial governors who came to visit the US in the 1970s that she met her husband Henry Levine, the current US Consul General in Shanghai.
For a long time after the marriage, Vivian Chang acted as an interpreter in the State Department. "As an interpreter for diplomats, I had the opportunity to meet figures such as Deng Xiaoping and Yang Shangkun, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan," she said. "I feel lucky to meet them in person."
As a wife of a diplomat, she has more chances to meet impressive figures. Vivian can never forget one day last October during APEC when US President George W. Bush attended a party organized for the American community. "It was most fascinating, as President Bush was so warm and said hello to everybody present, which left a deep impression on me," recalled Vivian.
However, to communicate with VIPs is only part of her life. She also acts as honorary president of the American Women's Club, parent representative in the elementary school of Shanghai American School, and a room parent at SAS. "As a room parent, usually I help the teacher plan social events for children such as the annual Halloween and Thanksgiving parties," she explained.
As a caring mother, her two children have always been part of her life, which can be seen from her happy and proud expression when mentioning them. The day after she held a birthday party for her son, she came to see a jazz show, at which her daughter was a trumpet player. But her love for children is given to more than just her own children. As a parent representative, she organized meetings once a month for better communication between parents and the school principal. "In this way, the children can have a better time in school."
She also takes an active part in charity activities for the local children. "Every year CSS donates many things to the local children, we donated a mini-van, blankets, an incubator and ventilator," she said.
"As a liaison officer for CSS and honorary president for the American Women's Club, what I am trying to do is to promote understanding between the two peoples, to let more Chinese know Americans," said Chang. "There is no problem that can not be solved through talk if they are friends."
In her spare time, Vivian likes to travel. "I have learned so much about the country through travel, but sometimes I feel sad that I cannot stay there longer."
Vivian has lived in Shanghai for three years and she likes Shanghai so much that she even compares it to New York. "The skyline of Pudong is so modern that one can hardly distinguish it from New York. Shanghai is changing in a positive and dynamic way."
She also likes art very much. Every half-year, the walls of the meeting room of the consulate are hung with new paintings by Chinese artists.
(Shanghai Star June 05, 2002)
