Shenzhen, a city prospering from the reform and opening up, is also a city of immigrants. Among its 20 million residents, 15 million are immigrants. As millions of dream seekers devoted themselves to the growth of the city, the city is also rewarding them with secured, prosperous lives.
Fang Haibin is the owner of a small enterprise that produces cultural and creative products. When he started his business as a student of Shenzhen University, he received 80,000 yuan from the university’s startup funding, and his business enjoyed tax exemption for three years.
Thanks to the city’s tax incentives for small-and-medium-sized enterprises, Fang’s company saved over 100,000 yuan on taxes every year. Apart from tax incentives, the city’s supply chains for innovative industries have also facilitated Fang’s business.
“You can find everything you need in Shenzhen, from software development service to raw material supplies,” said Fang.
A city with love is a cradle of entrepreneurship. Among every four citizens in Shenzhen, there is a business founder, and the city has over 3 million business organizations by the end of June, with over 40,000 enterprises established every month.
“Shenzhen is a very friendly city for startups. The government has proposed many supporting measures, including a good service system and a funding system,” said Wu Sikang, director of Development Research Center of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government.
A wonderful city for dream seekers, Shenzhen is also a paradise for retirees. Weng Chunxian, a 57-year-old who came to Shenzhen 38 years ago, has worked her way up from a factory worker to a senior manager. Retiring from her work, she’s now enjoying a happy family life.
“I feel secure to live in Shenzhen as a retiree with all the pensions and social security services,” said Weng.
As the biggest immigrant city in China, Shenzhen has 400,000 to 500,000 new permanent residents every year, and the city has launched a series of supporting policies for immigrant workers in aspects including public health, education, and subsidized housing.