The Qianhai Authority invited expats, Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors, and overseas returnees to engage in a discussion aimed at building Qianhai into a more expat-friendly community, which was held at the Qianhai International Talent Hub on Thursday.
At the sharing session, the predominant focus centered around the need to access additional local information and provide a more extensive array of payment options.
Sam Wan, deputy president of the Australian Wyndham Chamber of Commerce Whitehorse Branch, said China’s development in past decades has created a huge opportunity for him. He finds there are less inconveniences, but there is a need to focus on providing more information for newcomers. For instance, he said that more information about Qianhai should be disseminated for potential investors.
Simon Chiatante, a Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador from Italy, said that with facility construction maturing, Qianhai should focus on helping expats integrate into the local community. He also suggested organizing more events that cater to the expat community.
“As a newcomer to the city, one of my challenges is to find access to local information. For instance, I prefer to make friends through sports but there is little information about how to book a court in the city,” said Sarah Hall, assistant head teacher of King’s School Shenzhen (KSS). She also suggested helping newcomers quickly adopt useful apps.
In a practical exploration of daily life challenges, Sabrina Neil, head of Merchiston Shenzhen Shekou, highlighted the importance of making payments easier for international visitors. Recognizing the reliance on various apps, she suggested adapting to the different payment habits prevalent in other countries to enhance the experience for tourists and newcomers.
Piotr Blaszak, a Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador from Poland, addressed the financial concerns of expats. He urged the city to make currency exchange more convenient by extending fast services beyond airport facilities to increase accessibility.
Attendees were also invited to explore Qianhai’s facilities including an international clinic, shared working spaces, and the International Talent Hub. This event is an important step in Qianhai’s process of redefining itself as a global epicenter that promises an enriching expat experience.