Liu Yangyang, Chen Siqi 524652046@qq.com SHENZHEN is renowned as a hub of innovation and opportunity, where an open and inclusive atmosphere fosters creativity and growth. Its comprehensive industrial chains provide the necessary infrastructure for quickly turning ideas into reality, making it a true wonderland for achieving remarkable breakthroughs. Among cities in China, Shenzhen has ranked first in patent authorizations for six consecutive years and is home to nearly 25,000 high-tech companies and over 23,000 small and medium-sized tech enterprises. Investment in research and development (R&D) reached 223.66 billion yuan (US$31.7 billion) in 2024, an increase of 18.9% year on year. These achievements have been made possible through the cooperation and support of esteemed global experts. To express gratitude to these experts for their cultural diversity and professional contributions, the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology, and Innovation Bureau, together with the Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Experts Affairs Bureau, hosted a Spring Festival panel at Shenzhen University on Jan. 17. The panel brought together 13 international experts living in Shenzhen. They shared their insights and experiences in the city and offered suggestions on its infrastructure, supporting facilities, scientific research activities, and industrial development. Let’s hear directly from these experts in their own words: Maksim Silenko From Russia Senior employee of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University “I moved to Shenzhen in 2018, and I really like it here. I really appreciate Shenzhen Daily — what they’re doing for us is a great opportunity to connect with people from different countries. We [the Shenzhen MSU-BIT University] have around 400 foreign teachers on campus and more than 400 Russian students, so it’s a very international university.” Jose Antonio Vigara From Spain Creative director of LuluLe Creative “I’m from Spain, and I’ve been in Shenzhen for 10 years now. I’m an architect specializing in urban planning. Shenzhen is a city with great urban planning and development. It’s clear that the Shenzhen government is making efforts to accommodate international residents. For example, in Spain, you won’t find as much information or many apps available in English in the cities.” Yang Ye From the U.K. Chief technical expert, China National Offshore Oil Corp. “The Chinese oil and gas industry has seen a multiplied growth, and particular for Shenzhen, a city that has a vision to become a global marine city center. Immediately after I arrived, I was struck by the energy and charm of the city, as well as its vibrant and open, inclusive environment. Maybe you’ve heard the famous saying, ‘Once you come, you’re a Shenzhener.’ It made me feel welcomed right away. I was also deeply impressed by the strong sense of service. It’s really different from what I experienced in China 20 years ago. Whether it’s government officials, researchers from institutes, or even ordinary taxi drivers, I’ve been really impressed by their professionalism and dedication. I think the quality of service in China has improved a lot.” Mauro Rubin From Italy Partner of Almatech group “I arrived in Shenzhen a few years ago, and I really love it here. I’m a big cyberpunk fan, so I enjoy science fiction movies and the like. When I arrived in Shenzhen, it felt like the perfect environment for me — skyscrapers, drones, robots, everything. I spent many years in San Francisco, in Silicon Valley, and even some friends from Silicon Valley were surprised when they first came here. People who are deeply involved in innovation and technology didn’t realize just how advanced China, and especially Shenzhen, is.” He Jianwen From Singapore Technical expert, Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd. “I relocated back to Shenzhen last March. Shenzhen is definitely a top-notch place for foreigners. For example, in the government sector, you can always find options to use your passport number when filling out application forms.” Bernhard Schaefke From Germany Associate professor at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences “Shenzhen has very pleasant, very nice weather, and also it’s a very dynamic, modern city. And I’m looking forward to see further developments in my research field and also in those areas of daily life.” Andrew Flannery From the U.S. Humanities and social sciences teacher at Huitong School “As an American, I’m constantly amazed by the metro system here — there’s really nothing like it in any of the cities in my home country. At the same time, one of the most exciting things to me is how this city is evolving. Every day, I watch new skyscrapers go up, and each district seems to have its own cultural center, rivaling the size of landmarks like the New York Public Library and Central Park. It’s such an exciting place to be.” Jeroen van de Weijer From the Netherlands Professor at the College of International Studies, Shenzhen University “I’ve been in China for 15 years — nine years in Shanghai and six years in Shenzhen. Shenzhen has excellent transportation. I enjoy my job, my students, and the environment on campus. It’s a great place to live, with both public and private transportation options. The mountains are nearby, and I love hiking and walking. If you take a bus for just half an hour, you can be in the mountains. Shenzhen is also well connected to other parts of the country by high-speed rail.” Shunichi Takeda From Japan Japanese professor at Shenzhen University’s Medical School “I’m really happy to be working here. Chinese students have a great respect for their teachers, which is something I really appreciate. I believe I can contribute to the collaboration between China and Japan.” Howard Shi From the U.S. Chairman of Shenzhen Cell Valley Biomedical Co. Ltd. “Shenzhen is the most open city in China and a great place for business. The environment for innovation and business can be challenging, but Shenzhen is truly a city of opportunities. The Shenzhen government encourages everyone, especially us, to contribute our skills and abilities. As for me, I hope to innovate new anti-tumor drugs to help make the future better.” Olatunji Mumini Omisore From Nigeria Associate professor at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences “I came to Shenzhen in January 2016 for the training part of my Ph.D. The event for international experts in Shenzhen is really valuable because it brings together a group of experts from diverse backgrounds and countries. It gives us the chance to discuss the challenges we’re facing here in Shenzhen, as well as explore the opportunities the city has to offer.” Zhu Yonggang From Australia Professor at the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen “I’m currently working at the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen. I came to Shenzhen in 2016. When I came to Shenzhen, the Shenzhen city government supported me a lot, and the university also gives me substantial financial support. In my group, we have three startups — it’s purely because of the support from the Shenzhen city government. I’m very grateful for the support from the Shenzhen city government. I think Shenzhen is a young and modern city.” Bence Kato From Hungary Assistant professor at the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University “Life is great in Shenzhen. I really enjoy it here. The city is very vibrant, and most people are quite young. Many residents have been educated abroad, so there are a lot of people who speak decent English. I’ve been able to build a pretty good social circle, especially among entrepreneurs. Most of them are foreign-educated as well, and they’re all really welcoming.” | 