More foreigners settle in Southwest China city

Street scene of a shopping center in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province [File photo/IC]

Thanks to China's efforts in pursuing balanced regional development and opening up its western interior, Chengdu is becoming more attractive to foreign job seekers.

In June 2016, Natalia Kosana Goldysiak was employed by the Chengdu branch of a Polish logistic company. The company has partnered with China in the China-European rail links that connects Chengdu with Poland.

Goldysiak and her colleagues opened an exhibition hall demonstrating Polish products sent via the railway. She has also been acting as a liaison for Chinese and Polish companies, and over 300 Polish products have been sold in China as a result of her company's work.

She now lives like a local Chengdu resident, riding an e-bike and enjoying spicy food.

Daisy Velven Peak, from Britain, has joined with several friends in establishing a company in Chengdu that helps Chinese companies find overseas talent.

The company has helped find more than 1,000 foreign employees for over 100 companies across China. It has set up two overseas offices in Britain and South Africa, and established cooperation projects with nearly 50 foreign universities.

At the 2018 Chengdu Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair held last month, the company helped organize an overseas talent job fair which attracted over 400 job seekers.

Her company has employees from countries including Britain, France, the United States, and South Africa.

She said that many foreigners chose to settle in Chengdu due to the attractiveness of the culture and foreigner-friendly lifestyle in the city.

For example, Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, where the company is located, has opened English language windows and services at banks and telecommunication companies, according to Peak.

In June 2017, the public security bureau of Chengdu launched 15 policies to facilitate foreign talent to work or live in Chengdu.

Statistics released by the bureau in February show that the city has 17,411 foreigners holding a residence permit, up by about 15 percent from last year.

Jim Mullinax, US Consul General to Chengdu, said the city's support for foreign investment and talent, rapidly developing technological strength and favorable environment for innovation and living are all driving forces for attracting foreign talent.