Deepening of reforms opens doors for Gen Z

In 2014, when Priyasha Sharma first arrived in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, from India to study at Shenzhen University, she had no inkling that she would still be living in the city 10 years later and calling it home.

Shenzhen, a pioneer model of China's reform and opening-up, was designated as the nation's first special economic zone in 1980. It transformed from a small fishing village into a leading global technology center within just a few decades.

"Shenzhen is often referred to as China's Silicon Valley, and it's home to Chinese tech majors like Huawei and Tencent," Sharma said.

After completing her master's degree from Shenzhen University in 2022, the now 28-year-old Sharma chose to pursue a career in a technology-focused supply chain firm.

Though Sharma spoke Chinese fluently, she had to cope with some cultural differences as the company's first foreign employee, but the open and supportive atmosphere empowered her to express her views and provided her with equal opportunities for career advancement. Today, she holds a top managerial position in the company, helping foster its growth and bring about more international influence.

"Shenzhen's residents embrace newcomers, blending different perspectives into a cohesive local identity," she said.

The Shenzhen government offers services, policies and incentives to assist foreign residents, expatriate startups and established businesses, Sharma added.

For instance, there are expatriate centers in every district of Shenzhen, offering services such as language learning, legal consultation, employment and internship platforms, as well as business networking events for international residents. More importantly, these services and events are provided free of cost, with ongoing surveys conducted to enhance support for expats.

A popular saying in Shenzhen, "Once you come here, you are a Shenzhener", deeply resonates with Sharma. She finds that the city's openness to new ideas and its focus on entrepreneurial spirit cultivate a profound sense of belonging and inclusion.

"For many, including myself, living and working in Shenzhen often feels like being part of a large, diverse community where the local identity is shaped by a blend of cultures, backgrounds and experiences," she said.

As China's opening-up has widened, like Shenzhen, many cities have been drawing in international talents to live, work, invest and establish businesses. Among them is Yiwu, a renowned small commodities trading hub in East China's Zhejiang province.

According to data from the Yiwu Administration for Market Regulation, 162 new foreign-funded enterprises have been established in the city this year, marking a 34 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Kirill Kravtsov, a 23-year-old Russian student at Peking University, visited Yiwu recently. He discovered that many young entrepreneurs from around the world have started their businesses in the city. Some of them have lived there for over 10 years, witnessing and being part of the city's economic progress and infrastructure enhancement.

"Yiwu is undoubtedly a business-friendly city, as it has been launching a lot of initiatives to attract international talents and make it easier for them to live and work there," Kravtsov said.

Kravtsov met a young entrepreneur from Kyrgyzstan who moved to Yiwu and started her own accessories business, which she successfully expanded globally to numerous countries.

She told Kravtsov that Yiwu provides favorable policies for foreign startups, including a points system. Foreign entrepreneurs who meet specific requirements, such as clearing the HSK 6, the Chinese-language proficiency test's highest level, and possessing a master's degree, among other qualifications, can accumulate a high score, which makes it easier for them to obtain a long-term work visa.

"Chinese cities are striving to be more open to the world, and I believe Yiwu is an exemplary case," Kravtsov said.

Melina Gisela Weber, a 31-year-old from Germany, shares a similar perspective. She traveled to the Hainan Free Trade Port in South China's Hainan province in July and observed that the island is creating platforms for collaboration with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in fields including culture and education.

A prime example of this is the Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, the pioneering higher education institution in the Chinese mainland established independently by an international university.

According to Weber, the university offers mechanical engineering and German language courses for students, who are taught in English and follow the German education system.

"I consider this a great example of cross-border education," Weber said.

Weber's connection with China began in 2015 during her one-semester study at the Ocean University of China, located in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. The experience touched her deeply and aroused her curiosity, and she has been traveling between Germany and China since.

In 2019, Weber started sharing videos on Chinese social media platforms, showcasing her life in both countries. She has now amassed over 2 million followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

In May, Weber launched her own business in Beijing as a content creator, focusing on making videos that promote cultural exchanges.

"The Belt and Road Initiative has increased trade flows between Germany and China, as well as people-to-people exchanges," she said.

Kravtsov, with a bachelor's degree in Asian and African studies, perceives the significant impact of the BRI on enhancing trade relationships among the involved nations.

"These trade relations have changed the way the world is structured," he said, explaining that he has observed a notable shift from traditional trade partnerships among Western nations to a more diversified landscape in recent times.

Kravtsov also noticed that China has been organizing various intercultural events and programs in recent years. "These activities encourage global youth to visit China in person and see with their own eyes how China has developed and the benefits it can bring to the world," he said.

mengwenjie@i21st.cn