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

Shenzhen, a pioneering model of China's reform and opening-up, was designated as the nation's first special economic zone in 1980. It was 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 noted.

After completing work for her master's degree at Shenzhen University in 2022, Sharma chose to pursue a career at a technology-focused supply chain enterprise.

Though Sharma spoke Chinese fluently, she had to cope with some cultural differences as the company's first foreign employee. However, the open and supportive atmosphere empowered her to express her views and provided her with equal opportunities for career advancement, she said.

Today, the 28-year-old holds a top managerial position in the company, helping to 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 city 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, and business networking events for international residents. More importantly, these services and events are provided for free, and surveys are conducted regularly to enhance support for expats.

"Once you come here, you are a Shenzhener" is a popular saying in Shenzhen, and it resonates deeply with Sharma. She has found 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.

Appeal of trading hub

As China's opening-up has widened, many cities like Shenzhen have been attracting international talent to live, work and invest, as well as to establish businesses. Among them is Yiwu, a renowned small-commodities trading hub in 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 year-on-year increase.

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 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 talent and make it easier for them to live and work there," he said.

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

She told Kravtsov that Yiwu provides favorable policies for foreign startups, including a point system. Foreign entrepreneurs who meet specific requirements, such as clearing 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.

New platforms

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

A prime example is Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, which was established independently by an international university.

Weber said 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," she said.

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