I am pursuing my dream and starting a business in Beijing - the stories of seven "foreign makers"

Original title: I am pursuing my dream of starting a business in Beijing (In China·Looking at China)

——Stories of seven “foreign makers”

Early autumn, Beijing. In a cafe in Sanlitun, an American young man greets customers in authentic Mandarin; in an office building in the Central Business District, an Afghan young man holds two mobile phones and seamlessly switches between more than a dozen WeChat groups; in a cafe in Shunyi, a Korean young man designs a route for the upcoming "Belt and Road" shooting plan... Why do these foreign young people choose to start a business in China?

The continuously expanding pattern of opening up to the outside world and the constantly optimized innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem... China embraces the world with a more open attitude and releases development dividends with continuously deepening opening up measures, providing valuable certainty and development opportunities for global entrepreneurs. Recently, our reporter interviewed seven young people from different countries and listened to their entrepreneurial stories in Beijing.

Origin——

"As long as you have a good idea and are willing to work hard, you can achieve results."

I met Gu Kaiwen at an event held by a well-known domestic media company. This 24-year-old American guy currently has more than 3 million fans on social platforms in China.

"My Chinese name was given by my high school Chinese teacher." In the summer of 2016, Gu Kaiwen, who participated in the Chinese summer camp, came to China for the first time, and his curiosity seemed to have taken root. Since then, every summer vacation in high school, he would travel across the ocean to China to learn Chinese. After graduating from high school, with admission notices from Peking University and top universities in the United States, he chose to study at Peking University School of Art.

While studying in Beijing, Gu Kaiwen came up with the idea of ​​starting a business. "Many things that Chinese people take for granted are actually very magical in the eyes of foreigners." Takeaways delivered within half an hour, universal mobile payment, high-speed trains with speeds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour... In his opinion, if these are made into videos, someone will definitely pay attention.

"Telling Chinese stories from a foreigner's perspective can better bridge cultural differences." Relying on this differentiated approach, Gu Kaiwen quickly accumulated a large number of fans, cooperated with more than a hundred Internet experts, and became a well-known "foreign blogger" on the Internet.

After graduation, Gu Kaiwen decided to stay in China, and the scale of his cultural company continued to expand. He also opened up a new business and served as a "brand ferryman" to "help Chinese brands go overseas and enter the US market; he also assisted European and American brands who want to enter the Chinese market to understand the rules and connect with local experts."

Gu Kaiwen came to China and stayed in China because of "curiosity", and Sri Lankan youth Biman stayed in China because of a phone call. Looking back many years later, Beeman summed it up as a "lucky moment" in his life.

In the winter of 2009, Beaman entered Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Because he was not used to the new environment, he fell seriously ill after entering school. "I felt very lonely lying in the hospital. I had just enough money left in my hand to buy a plane ticket to leave."

"At this moment, Professor Chen Jie from Beihang University called me." Biman is deeply grateful to Teacher Chen to this day. "He said he would help me apply to participate in the school's science and technology competition, and if I win, the tuition will be free of charge." Encouraged by Teacher Chen, Biman began to devote himself to preparing for the competition, typing codes, and doing research and development. Finally, he won the first prize with a pair of sensing gloves that can help hearing-impaired and visually impaired people communicate.

After graduation, Biman stayed in China to continue his business. Today, the 36-year-old holds a number of patents in healthcare, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things... The combined valuations of several companies he founded have reached millions of dollars. Right now, he is dedicating himself to research and development, using artificial intelligence technology to identify anxiety and depression from people’s voice characteristics. "This technology is currently in the trial stage and has received more than US$1.2 million in clinical research funding. In China, as long as you have a good idea and are willing to work hard, you can achieve results," Biman said.

Opportunities——

"China's active scientific and technological innovation atmosphere and mature industrial chain are undoubtedly our best choice."

"Some Western media often exaggerate that the Chinese market has high barriers to entry, but the reality is exactly the opposite." said Weyette, a German who has worked and lived in China for nearly 20 years. "To open a company in China, personnel visas, bonus incentives... the policies are getting better and better, and there are more and more opportunities."

In 2019, Weyette and a French partner established Beijing Makershuo Technology Co., Ltd. Their goal is very ambitious: to become a "super connector" between international science and technology innovation projects and Chinese cities.

“One of our key roles is to help both parties bridge the gap of understanding and trust.” Through in-depth cooperation with events such as the Chaoyang International Talent Entrepreneurship Conference, they accurately introduce the rules and opportunities of the Chinese market to overseas startups, while helping Chinese judges understand the value of international projects. From Norwegian medical companies to Italian sensor companies, the implementation rate of projects recommended by Weiyette is as high as 90%, and nearly 30 international companies have taken root in China.

Also in 2019, Daniel, a Chinese-Brazilian young man, and his college roommate officially registered a company in Beijing with a start-up capital of 6,000 yuan. "Catching up with the good policy of expanding the opening up of the service industry, the company took advantage of the momentum to develop and quickly opened up."

"In the field of science and technology, there are differences in the development stages between Brazil and China, and there are many opportunities for cooperation." Daniel said that the first thing that helped his company open the market was educational robots. They purchase hardware from Guangdong and localize software development in Brazil to meet the needs of Brazilian public primary and secondary schools. "After a set of Chinese solutions have been developed for the Brazilian market, they can take into account both high cost performance and technical advantages." Daniel said that for this project alone, the company's annual revenue exceeded US$2 million.

Develop smart agricultural systems and enter the virtual reality glasses market... "In China, what we really want to do is technological innovation." Last year, Daniel and his partner team's total revenue exceeded 50 million yuan, most of which was invested in new technology research and development.

Now Daniel not only works as an overseas consultant for Chinese companies, but also accompanies Brazilian customers to inspect Chinese factories. Spanning two hemispheres, his working hours often last from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. "Although he is a little tired, China's active scientific and technological innovation atmosphere and mature industrial chain are undoubtedly our best choice."

Environment——

“China’s entrepreneurial policies are becoming more and more pragmatic and more tolerant of foreign talents.”

To grow from a seed to a towering tree requires good soil and a good environment.

After coming to Beijing for 15 years, from being a student at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management to founding Beijing Korean Peninsula Technology Co., Ltd., South Korean entrepreneur Jin Junfan’s biggest feeling is: “China’s entrepreneurial policies are becoming more and more pragmatic, and it is becoming more and more tolerant of foreign talents.”

"My original intention in starting the company was to build a bridge for Korean and Chinese companies to connect technology and engage in industrial exchanges." Jin Junfan was deeply impressed by the scene when he founded the company. "The company is located in Zhongguancun. From company registration to tax declaration, from visa processing to content compliance, it is very convenient and smooth."

As the company continues to develop, Jin Junfan has also expanded his business into the new media field. "At the beginning, I was worried that foreign status would be restricted in content creation and business cooperation. But in fact, Beijing's policies very much encourage corporate innovation as long as they operate in compliance with regulations."

He shot winter scenery in Yanbian, Jilin, went to various places to photograph the development of industrial chains, and went to auto shows to introduce the latest models... "After learning that I was Korean, many netizens left comments in Korean specifically on the video account." As his new media works have attracted more and more attention, Jin Junfan has more and more fans. As a die-hard fan of Beijing Guoan, every time he goes to the Workers' Stadium to watch football, fans always take the initiative to take photos.

"China's policies are not 'painting cakes', but really pointing out the direction of development for enterprises." Recently, Jin Junfan is planning to shoot a series of videos focusing on the theme of jointly building the "Belt and Road". "I plan to start from Xi'an, Shaanxi, and use my camera to record the story of China's connectivity with countries along the route. This is both a personal dream and a concern for the world."

Talking about the changes in China over the years, Belgian Anthony's biggest feeling is "fast". "When I first came to China, traveling was still a green train, but now high-speed trains are extending in all directions. In the past, you had to carry cash when going out, but now a mobile phone is basically enough."

In 2006, Anthony came to Beijing. From the media industry to the racing industry to today's new energy field, he has been involved in many industries. He has witnessed the rapid development of China's economy and society, as well as the changes in urban lifestyle and consumer market, and has personally experienced the continuous improvement of China's business environment. The visa procedures for coming to China continue to be simplified, more market areas are open to foreign investment in an orderly manner, and the entire process of starting a business with foreign capital has been implemented online. A series of pragmatic measures continue to clear the obstacles for foreign entrepreneurs on the road to starting a business.

"Having been in China for 20 years, I feel more and more like a bridge." In April 2025, Anthony was elected president of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce. "Twenty years ago, we talked more about how European companies could enter China. Now it is completely different. More and more Chinese companies are going to Europe."

"Especially in the fields of new energy, electric vehicles and technology, Chinese companies have accumulated a lot of experience. At the same time, European companies still have a lot of room for development in China. What is more important in the future is to find places where both parties can complement each other and cooperate for a long time." Anthony said.

future——

"China's door to the outside world is opening wider and wider, and every inch of land is full of hope."

Just after 6 o'clock in the morning, Maher was already in a taxi. With a sandwich in his mouth, he tapped on two mobile phones skillfully with both hands, "We must do a good job of docking at home and abroad, and often more than a dozen projects are promoted at the same time."

In the 12 years since he arrived in Beijing, from the establishment of Beijing Infinite Port Cultural Technology Co., Ltd. to the launch of the "International Alumni Talent Alliance" project, this Afghan young man's goal has always been the same - "to tell foreigners how to start a business in China and help international entrepreneurial talents build companies in China from scratch."

An English version of Beijing's "Two Districts" policy compilation, a multi-lingual company start-up process color page... When I came to Maher's office, the display shelves were filled with various policy texts that he took the lead in translating.

"Beijing's entrepreneurial policies are very good, but for some foreign entrepreneurs, language understanding is a big problem. In my opinion, Beijing is a huge stage facing the world, and it is also a good opportunity for me to go global." Mach, who can speak seven languages ​​including Pashto, Persian, and French, not only works as a translator, but also provides policy interpretation. Opening the "Guidebook for Foreign Talents to Start a Sunrise Entrepreneurship" edited by him and just updated this year, the answers to more than 100 frequently asked entrepreneurial questions such as company registration and visa application are clear at a glance. Since 2021, Ma He's team has held hundreds of events, connected more than 5,000 international talents, and helped more than 50 foreign-funded companies and projects land in Beijing.

"China's door to the outside world is opening wider and wider, and every inch of land is full of hope." For the future, Ma He has a clear blueprint: to be a platform for Sino-foreign scientific and technological exchanges, and a service organization for the cross-border flow of technology, data, and capital. "It is not just about selling products, but trying to promote the localization of technology and achieve in-depth cooperation."

At the beginning of the night, in Ma He's office, young people speaking various languages ​​communicated sincerely. They enter China with their own cultural backgrounds and thinking models, and go to the world with China's industrial chain resources and market experience, empowering each other in both directions and achieving mutual success.

Gu Kaiwen, Daniel, Beaman... these entrepreneurs from all over the world have crossed mountains and seas and shuttled through the high-rise buildings or deep streets of Beijing. Here, they are neither passers-by nor bystanders, but in-depth participants in the wave of innovation in this land. Their struggle story is also a vivid chapter in the Chinese story.

Choosing China means choosing the future. From Beijing to the wider land of China, the stories of these foreign entrepreneurs continue and will surely become more exciting.

Reporter's Notes

The charm of the city and the magnanimity of the country

The openness of a city is not only reflected in the numerous high-rise buildings and the gathering of industries, but also in the respect and tolerance of people.

For foreigners who work, start a business, study, and live in Beijing, they can best feel the warmth of this city through seemingly small convenience measures. Simplify the visa application process for foreign talents so that "landing" is no longer cumbersome; launch a multilingual entrepreneurial service guide to make "understanding the policy" no longer difficult; build a docking platform for international talent competitions and Chinese and foreign companies to make "finding partners" the norm. From service convenience to innovation and entrepreneurship, from integrating into the city to expanding development space, Beijing has taken a series of pragmatic measures to implement openness and inclusiveness into perceptible and knowable details, allowing more foreign friends to see that there are not only opportunities here, but also understanding and acceptance.

Good policies attract people, and a good environment retains people. The true sense of belonging comes from value recognition and cultural resonance. In the incubator deep in the alley, French designers and Chinese intangible cultural heritage craftsmen are thinking about cross-border cooperation; in the shared office space in Wangjing, Korean young men and Chinese entrepreneurs are striving for their ideals; in the factory in Yizhuang, German engineers and Chinese colleagues are discussing technical problems... This thousand-year-old ancient capital is not only a geographical place to live, but also a place of spiritual resonance. For every entrepreneur who comes from afar, whether you are in a suit or a T-shirt, this place has room for differences, room for dreams, and support for every hard work and hard work.

Beijing is a window to observe China's opening up to the outside world. From relying on the CIFTIS to build an open cooperation platform, deepening the comprehensive pilot program for expanding opening-up in the service industry, continuing to reduce the negative list for foreign investment access, and promoting institutional innovation in free trade pilot zones, China is continuously optimizing the innovation and entrepreneurship environment for global talents with its continuously deepening opening-up policy, allowing more ideas and dreams to come to fruition.

The charm of a city is that people don’t want to leave once they come; the magnanimity of a country is that every possibility has the soil to grow. More and more overseas young people are choosing to pursue their entrepreneurial ideals in Beijing. This is not only an individual dream-chasing story, but also reflects China’s open and confident mind.