Guangzhou attracts expats

Guangzhou is experiencing a boom in expat workers being attracted to the South China city, with 88,000 crossing border control as of April 25 this year, according to Guangzhou inspection teams.

Demographics reveal that the expats have arrived from more than 200 countries and regions across six continents. Asian countries accounted for 54.1 percent of those arriving, followed by expats from Africa (17 percent) and Europe (11.5 percent).

Deputy head of Tianhe, Huang Kaixuan, said the district is home to the largest numbers of foreigners – many of them students, experts, and businesspeople.

Tianhe district also tops the city's other areas in the number of consulates and foreign affairs-related organizations.

Cai Jianwen, an official from the Guangzhou Office of Exit & Entry Administration Department of Public Security said foreigners registered a total of 1.9 million trips in and out of Guangzhou from January to April. The city is one of the busiest destinations and transfer hubs in the country.

In recent years, Guangzhou has been improving both working and living conditions for expatriates seeking opportunities in the city. It has set up comprehensive public service centers in the areas where foreigners gather, such as Dengfeng Street in Yuexiu district, as well as providing free Chinese language training.

The Canton Tower provides panoramic views of Guangzhou Tianhe Central Business District. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]