Hainan, China's southern island province, has attracted an increasing number of foreign talents through a series of measures, as the province has been accelerating the development of its free trade port and expanding its opening to the rest of the world.
Michael Dahl, an English teacher from Poland currently working at the Hainan Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone in the Lingshui Li Autonomous County in Hainan, is among the many foreign talents in the region.
When he learnt that the Alberta International School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism of Beijing Sport University, a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution jointly established by Beijing Sport University and the University of Alberta in Canada, started accepting students in 2023, he immediately applied for the position of English teacher.
The school he is working for is among the six colleges in the Hainan Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, a project jointly established by the Ministry of Education and Hainan Province to promote education opening up and the integration of education and industries.
"The moment I heard about this project, I was really enthusiastic. I think that the joint venture, an educational venture between Sino and foreign institutions, is a great contribution towards the development of education both in China and internationally," Michael said.
While using his expertise to advance self-development, Michael has gradually adjusted to life in Hainan, fully sensing the openness and inclusiveness of this province.
"Whether you go to the train station, whether you visit some educational facilities, offices or hospitals like I did yesterday, you can see that there are some signs in Chinese of course, but also in English. Moreover, it's not only about the efforts of government but also it's about people's attitude. Many people I encountered here in Hainan, taxi drivers or some officers working at train stations or even security guards, they are doing their best to explain. If they are not able to explain properly in English, they use some dictionary," he said.
He has also passed on his affection for Li Brocade, a traditional textile of the Li ethnic group in Hainan, and Chinese culture to his family.
In an effort to support reform and opening up in the southernmost island province, China expanded visa-free entry to Hainan for tourists from 59 countries in 2018, making the province a haven for foreigners.
Since the policy was implemented, the island has seen a growing influx of foreigners due to the simplified entry process.
"Hainan has many policies that aim at making the life of foreigners so much easier. So I think that this is really extraordinary development that the other places can take an advantage from and take as an example how Hainan is becoming international," said Michael.
Attractive policies draw more foreign talents to Hainan
Attractive policies draw more foreign talents to Hainan
With over a million followers on social media, French influencer Greg is dedicated to showcasing modern life and culture in China, inviting viewers to experience the country firsthand.
Currently based in Shanghai, Greg leverages his platform to share everything from delectable Chinese cuisine to popular trends, often featuring creative videos such as "Living a day in Shanghai on 100 yuan" and "How many Chinese cities can you visit in a day?"
Greg's connection to China dates back 16 years to when he was a 25-year-old student at a university in France. As graduation approached, he had the opportunity to study abroad and chose China among various options. Upon arriving in China, he quickly envisioned a future in the country and became determined to secure a steady job.
His journey took a significant turn during the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, where he worked as a translator for several travel agencies. His outstanding performance during the event led to an opportunity with a multinational wine trading company, where he served as the marketing director.
"Being a foreigner who speaks Chinese opened up numerous job opportunities for me. Every day has felt like a new adventure. Each day has felt different, and I was discovering new things every day. Even now, in 2024, I still feel this way," he said.
Initially, Greg produced informative videos in his spare time while working in the wine industry. His strong desire for self-expression and creativity attracted a significant following, fueling his inspiration for more content.
"I focus on creating optimistic videos. Because in my mind, China is a place full of optimism and happiness. You can experience anything you want here. You just need to create your own opportunities. I really like this kind of life," he said.
In 2022, after 12 years in the wine industry, he transitioned to full-time content creation. This shift was motivated by his love for the profession and a realization he had during a visit to France two years prior, where he discovered a widespread lack of understanding about China.
"I often complain about how inconvenient things are in France. For example, every time I go out, I forget my wallet, but in China, we don't need a wallet. Everything can be done through our phones. When we want to go shopping in France, we have to line up at the checkout and take all the stuff back home all by ourselves. I told my French countrymates, 'You know what? In China, people can use apps to order takeout, and it can be delivered within half an hour,'" he said.
Greg has made it his mission to create videos that highlight the aspects of China he loves, sharing these stories with audiences in France and around the world.
"People in France like China a lot now because of the videos I post," he said proudly.
He also emphasizes the need for a real-life experience to truly understand China.
"Watching videos is not enough. You have to come and see for yourself. Five hundred videos are nothing when compared to spending just 24 hours in Shanghai. It's only when you experience that you'll truly understand what China is all about. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to visit China, and I hope my videos inspire them to do that," he said.
French influencer promotes China's allure through social media
