A top government official from the People’s Republic of China has called on developing countries in the world to give Chinese enterprises the needed support to thrive in their various countries.
Deputy Director, Foreign Economic Cooperation Division of the Economy, Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen Municipality in China, Lisa Zhou made this call Thursday, 4th June, 2015 while addressing 37 government officials from 15 developing countries, who are currently undergoing a one-month intensive seminar on Chinese Culture and Economy, organized by the Beijing International Chinese College (BICC), on behalf of the Chinese government.
In her welcome address to participants, who were on tour to the Commission, Zhou described Shenzhen as one of the youngest foreign economic towns in China that has developed from a small ancient town to a city, in just 35 years, adding that apart from being one of the most internationally recognised cities in China, Shenzhen is full of competitiveness in terms of the large number of foreign companies coming to invest.
Her words: “This city has a large number of international companies operating their factories here and we are benefiting seriously from the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). Shenzhen has become very active in international businesses and I wish to say that if you find any Shenzhen enterprise in your country, please, give it every needed support because they need you.
“It is my responsibility to ensure the sustenance of businesses that are related to economic and trade development between Shenzhen and other foreign countries and that is to say that I service these enterprises that go out to other countries to set up. I think it is part of my mission to serve and help in developing these enterprises.”
Responding to questions on how Shenzhen has been able to develop speedily within a space of 35 years, Zhou disclosed that one of the major reasons for the City’s breakthrough was the legal backing given to it by the Chinese Government, in terms of giving benefits to its people, as well as receiving Foreign Direct Investments.
According to her, although the city had serious challenges rising up to where it is today, other factors that contributed to its success story today were open-mindedness, practicality and hard work by the people.
Speaking earlier, the Vice President, BICC, Mr. Yang Wei had disclosed that it was in line with the theme of the 2015 Seminar, which focuses on Chinese Culture and Economic Development of China that Shenzhen was chosen for the visit, stressing that the City was the most important window for China to get economic and financial collaborations with other countries.
Meanwhile, this is the first time the College will be leading students to Shenzhen under the Chinese Foreign Exchange Programme, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja
(Reporting from Shenzhen, China)