Intl. residents forge connections at Qianhai coffee salon

Video by Zhen Jianhong

On the afternoon of April 5, the 11th session of the HiQianhai series took place at the second phase of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (E-hub). More than 20 international residents from China's Hong Kong, the U.S., Spain, Russia, Egypt, and other countries gathered at the All Day Club coffee shop to explore coffee culture and engage in business exchanges.

Participants watch a bastria of All Day Club make coffee. Photos by Han Shuang

The event commenced with a lively introduction to coffee culture, where participants learned about the history, classification, roasting processes, and witnessed demonstrations of the preparation of some of the coffee shop’s signature products. This gave participants a deeper, hands-on understanding of coffee. Subsequently, under the guidance of baristas, attendees experienced the entire coffee-making process, from grinding beans and brewing to creating latte art, with each step filled with fun and challenges. Soon, cups of aromatic coffee were presented to everyone.

Participants experience making coffee under the instruction of baristas. 

During the sharing session, Chiu Yat-long, one of the co-founders of All Day Club, explained how three young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong successfully opened a coffee shop in Qianhai by distinguishing themselves in an entrepreneurial contest. He also shared a number of valuable resources that startups can utilize in Qianhai.

Wong Lok-yi, another co-founder of All Day Club, stated that after more than two years of development, they firmly believe that Qianhai provides fertile ground for their business growth and serves as a bridge connecting diverse cultures.

Participants listen as Chiu Yat-long, one of the co-founders of All Day Club, shares his entrepreneurship story. 

Mahmoud Hamdy from Egypt registered a company in Qianhai two months ago, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to provide legal services to clients. He remarked on the vitality and diversity of Qianhai, which has allowed him to establish numerous new contacts from around the world.

In the free exchange segment, participants continued sharing their experiences of work and life in Qianhai. Topics included the connection between coffee and culture, entrepreneurial insights, and the future development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

In January and February of this year, Qianhai welcomed 372 new foreign-invested enterprises, marking a year-on-year increase of 81.5%. Since its establishment in 2014, the E-hub has incubated 1,395 entrepreneurial teams, including 974 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other regions, with 71 evolving into national high-tech enterprises.

As Qianhai continues to implement a series of reform measures, build various platforms, expand industrial space, and optimize the business environment, the pioneering “Qianhai Model” has become a major attraction for diverse domestic and foreign enterprises looking to invest and develop in Qianhai.

Participants pose for a group photo after the event. 

This event not only allowed participants to learn coffee-making skills but also fostered friendships among people from different cultural backgrounds. The “HiQianhai” series is sponsored by the Qianhai International Cooperation Center and organized by EyeShenzhen, attracting over 600 international participants so far. With a different theme each month, this series of events continues to provide momentum for the international development of Qianhai, serving as a vivid example of cultural integration in the GBA.