NEXTINSIGHT BRINGS YOU a series of interviews each Saturday with expatriates who call the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen both their workplace and home.
Our aim is to offer insights into what could be The Next Big Thing – Shenzhen – a city whose GDP growth and population have outpaced those of its richer neighbor, Hong Kong, for as long as this writer can remember.
We also hope to bring a series of revealing snapshots on just what it takes for non-locals to live and work here, and thrive while doing so.
A common thread linking these industrious expats together is how they have taken the best from their diverse cultural backgrounds to make a name for themselves in a faraway place like Shenzhen.
The Middle Kingdom takes great pride in being a country with 56 officially recognized ethnicities. But among China’s 1.3 bln denizens, the majority Han Chinese still make up well over 90% of the total population.
Despite the fact that the country is no longer building Great Walls to keep foreigners out, expats – especially non-Han residents -- are still a relative rarity in Chinese cities compared to say New York, London or Melbourne.
But the days of putting up walls are a thing of the distant past and cities like Shenzhen, which borders the more cosmopolitan Hong Kong, are beginning to catch up in terms of their expat tallies.
For years, when denizens of Shenzhen or visitors to the southern Chinese city were asked what was the best thing about the place, they would often answer: proximity to Hong Kong.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
And when queried on what most irked them about Shenzhen, the same people would frequently cite the city’s relative lack of history.
But things are rapidly changing in this dynamic 10-mln strong city which sports the highest percentage of non-local born residents of all the country’s major population centers.
In this fourth installment, we meet UK expat Mr. James Anthony, a director with factory and product inspection firm in China.
NextInsight: How would you describe the business operating climate where you are now compared to that in your homeland?
Mr. Anthony: The atmosphere is very much “full steam ahead”. The sense of anything is possible can be invigorating, and the concentration of businesses here - suppliers, competitors, international and local companies etc. – is convenient. Getting things done can be a lot easier as a result. Of course, it can be harder too at times, for all the well-documented challenges that go hand in hand with doing business in China.
What are the most obvious changes you have witnessed or sensed during your time here?
The speed of development means whole cities change very quickly. It’s striking to return to a place after a couple of years of not visiting and see how the landscape changes. New buildings, roads, even whole new areas. Improvements in transport, services etc. are pretty common as well.
If your children (current or future) told you they wanted to settle in your current city (in China), study, work and raise a family here, how would you feel?
Fine. I made the choice myself to stay here, and would understand if my children felt the same way.
If the economy in the current city where you are slows of softens considerably, would you immediately relocate, or do you feel China is your home and you will ride out the rough times?
My business is export so a softening of the local economy wouldn’t bother me too much. I’d have no problem relocating if business required it, provided the new location was to be reasonably livable (some of the inland cities remind me too much of my native Birmingham circa 1980!).
What are some of the best things about doing business in China today? What things would you most like to see changed?
Best thing – opportunity. The comparative lack of red tape can help too, although that isn’t always the case. On the flip side, unclear regulations or inconsistently applied policies don’t help. The biggest change I’d like would be more sincerity and reliability from suppliers and local partners. That’s a cultural thing so I am not holding my breath.
How do you feel about the current residential property prices in Shenzhen for renting? How about for buying? How have you felt about property prices going up/down in your time here?
Generally up, a lot, but with some volatility. Rent prices are reasonable compared to the price of buying. I doubt one could rent a 300,000 usd house for 400-500 bucks a month in many other places.
How about the cost of transportation, entertainment, and food/drink?
Travel is cheap. Entertainment can be cheap or very expensive, same as food. Two yuan for a beer in a Mom&Pop shop or 50 yuan if in a high end bar. It’s up to you.
Has your income risen at the same rate as inflation (rise of property/transportation, entertainment, food/drink?
Yes and no. My income depends entirely on how my business does. Sometimes up, sometimes down.
Is your business doing better, worse, or the same as when you first began working in Shenzhen? Why do you think that is? What are your plans to improve your business in Shenzhen over the next year?
It’s better on the whole but we’ve had a tough couple of years due to the recession and in particular the slowed real estate market in the US and UK. We’re diversifying into other products and markets.
How does the cost of living in Shenzhen compare to the cost of living in your homeland? Does the cost of rent, transportation, entertainment, and food/drink make up a larger or smaller percentage of your income in Shenzhen than it would in your homeland?
Rent and transportation are much lower. A friend of mine spends close to 1,000 usd a month on train travel in the UK as he lives an hour outside London. That’s insane. I spend less on food and drink than I would in at home as well.
Click here to read the previous expat story about an Indian executive at home in the meccas of hardware and software.
