Expats explore GBA's tech and culture

Video and photos by Lin Songtao

Approximately 20 expats, including Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors and Gen Z students from the Z10 Club, visited the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on April 13 to explore the scientific and technological innovations of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the cultural richness of traditional Chinese heritage.

At the 3rd InnoEX expo, which opened the same day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and runs through April 16, the group was captivated by a dazzling array of cutting-edge technologies presented by companies from Shenzhen, Hong Kong,  other parts of China, and around the globe.

Felipe Vieira Setlik from Brazil tries out a motion-sensing combat robot at the 3rd InnoEX expo.

Felipe Vieira Setlik, a Brazilian senior training specialist at a leading Shenzhen automobile company, tested a combat robot developed by GJS Robot. As he punched, defended, and turned, he was impressed by the robot’s near-perfect synchronization with his movements, enabled through wearable tech.

“I really liked it — I can see this technology being applied in many areas, from work to other industries,” he said.

Felipe was also drawn to the drones and specialty robots on display. “Today’s robots and drones are far more specialized than in the past,” he noted. “I saw robots for cleaning and rescue operations. If these technologies continue to evolve, they could benefit a much wider range of people in various scenarios.”

Sava Tomoiaga from Romania explores an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. 

Sava Tomoiaga from Romania, legal representative of the Shenzhen Women’s International Club, marveled at a static display of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for low-altitude tourism and emergency rescue, developed by ZeroG Shenzhen Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. She expressed hope that such futuristic transport could soon become part of daily life.

With the theme “Shenzhen Technology Creates a Better Life,” the Shenzhen Pavilion features advanced AI innovations from more than 100 Shenzhen-based companies, including 27 showcasing their products in person. The pavilion highlights the city’s progress in artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, advanced manufacturing, and technologies that enhance everyday life.

Alivia Kuchkarova, from Russia, interacts with a robot. 

In the afternoon, the group visited the Hong Kong Palace Museum, where they explored rare artifacts and gained insight into their cultural significance, craftsmanship, and design through an engaging and humorous tour guide.

At the “From Dawn to Dusk: Life and Art in the Forbidden City” exhibition, the group encountered over 300 artifacts offering a glimpse into the daily routines and refined lifestyles of ancient Chinese emperors and empresses.

Another highlight was “The Quest for Originality: Contemporary Design and Traditional Craft in Dialogue,” which showcases nearly 100 objects from the Palace Museum. The exhibition explores the enduring interplay between innovation and tradition, revealing how modern designers draw inspiration from historic craftsmanship, materials, and functional aesthetics.

Expatriates listen attentively as a guide explains the cultural significance of a relic.

“The design exhibition impressed me the most. Both my wife and I have design backgrounds, and the focus on communication, user experience, nature, and aesthetics offered a fresh perspective,”Setlik shared.

Diana Tian, a Russian graduate student at Shenzhen University, added, “The museum visit was the best part of today’s tour. The guide was so professional and funny. The exhibits on food and clothing were unlike anything I’d seen before — I think this was the first time I truly understood a Chinese museum.”

Expat participants pose for a group photo at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

The event was organized by EyeShenzhen, the initiator of the Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador Program and the Z10 Club.

The Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador Program invites expats living in the GBA to share their stories and observations about Shenzhen across domestic and international social media platforms. Meanwhile, the Z10 Club brings together members from 10 leading universities in Shenzhen to foster cross-cultural exchange among young people from around the world.