Statistics has revealed that 42 percent of the expat population in Shenzhen, about 13,000 in total, live in Nanshan District, typically in Shekou and Overseas Chinese Town (OCT).

Shekou, a mini “United Nations”

In 1979, Shekou became a trailblazer in China’s reform and opening. After 35 years of hard work, China Merchants Group has built the area into an international community. Surrounded by mountains and sea, the community boasts the biggest per capita greeneries in Shenzhen, with complete facilities such as hospitals, gyms, schools, training centers as well as leisure and entertainment venues. With hotels, apartments and office buildings catering to various needs, the community is home to half of the expat population in Nanshan District and 80 percent of the city’s international schools.

Shekou is the epitome of Shenzhen’s globalization.

Walking around Shekou, whether on the streets, in the parks, department stores, supermarkets or restaurants, you will come upon people of different colors who work and live here, calling the community their home.

More than 6,000 expats from 54 countries and regions live in Shekou, according to statistics. Jingshan Villas, Fraser Place, Mont Orchid Riverlet, Coastal Rose Garden, and The Peninsular are housing estates where expats account for a large proportion of the dwellers. The beautiful environment, safe and comfortable facilities and a tolerance for people from multicultural backgrounds have made Shekou a place its citizens feel proud of.

Many expats who live in Shekou are impressed by its beautiful environment. An oil company manager once said that Shekou has two huge attractions. With a beautiful environment and amenities, it’s like a comfortable European town. Close to Hong Kong and following international practice in many respects, it’s easy to communicate with locals and travel to and from abroad.

The earliest expats living in Shekou were employees of oil companies that drilled for oil in the South China Sea. In May 1982, 40 oil companies from 11 countries bid to operate oilfields in the South China Sea and built their logistics base in Chiwan, Shekou. Since then, a large number of oil company employees have been living in Shekou. While oil production is done at sea, commerce is dealt with in Shekou.

But the number of oil company employees has decreased in recent years. Instead, today’s expats in Shekou are mostly in finance, IT industries or running their own businesses. More than 70 percent of the residents at Jingshan Villas used to be affiliated with oil companies, while only 30 percent still are today.

Businesspeople and those involved in the retail industry comprise a large part now. Apart from Americans, Europeans, Japanese and South Koreans, who make up the most part of those who live in Fraser Place, some Singaporeans and Indians also live in Jingshan Villas.