Exploring Mainland Business Culture Tour 2022/23

Exploring Mainland Business Culture Tour Competition 2022 (“Competition”) is administrated by Career and Leadership Centre, Student Development Services and is one of the sponsored programmes under “Internship and Exchange Program for Tertiary Students” supported by The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) and CGCC (Foundation) Limited. The Competition aims to encourage students to build intercultural understanding and enhance their understanding of the business and economic development of Mainland China by providing sponsorship to students.

A group of 5 CityU students who are final year students from Information Management stood out from the competition to conduct the exchange tour in Mainland China with an aim of exploring the latest AI technology practice and Chinese cultural appreciation. The winning team conducted a 10-day tour from 6 to 15 Jan 2023, and travelled to 3 cities in Mainland China including Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen. The tour covered company visits and cultural visits to provide the students with opportunities to expose to AI and automation industries and develop a strong network with companies and peers. They undertook twelve visits during the tour including Alibaba Xixi Park, Artificial Intelligence Town, the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, Lingyin Temple, Sense Time, DOBOT, MINIEYE, Qianhai International Talent Hub, iBath, Longgang Museum of Hakka Culture, Shenzhen Museum and Shenzhen Industrial Museum.

Participants expressed that they have gained exposure to the growth and development of AI technology in Mainland China and valuable insights on the latest AI technology practices. By experiencing the local culture and conducting in-depth exchange with community partners in Mainland China, students have gained a better understanding of and seize the opportunities on developing their career in the Mainland.

Tour Video

Sharing from Students

“One of the most valuable takeaways from the exchange tour was gaining industry insights on the current practice and future trends of AI. In particular, I was impressed by the innovation of AI technologies in Mainland China. It was evident that the country is becoming to be a major player in the global AI industry, and it was excited to learn about the cutting-edge research and development happening there.

In addition to the specific technologies we learnt, we also gained a broader understanding of how AI is being used in various industries, from finance and healthcare to transportation and logistics. Overall, the exchange tour provided a valuable opportunity for us to learn the rapidly evolving world of AI and the opportunities and challenges it presents for various industries. As I am now planning my future career path, I am excited to explore how I can contribute to this dynamic and rapidly growing field.”

“The exchange tour to AI-focused companies provided valuable hands-on experience and deepened my understanding of various topics related to AI, including its applications, ethical considerations, corporate structure, and culture. The visit to Sense Time in Shanghai was particularly impressive that it showcased the application of AI in city-wide management and the future look of first-tier cities in China. The AI industry in Mainland China is growing fast with great prospects.

In the career aspects, I am looking for job opportunities in Mainland China, particularly in Shenzhen which is a convenient location for Hong Kong graduates. Moreover, this tour has enabled me to gain a deeper insight into my strengths and weaknesses, thereby providing me with the opportunity to better understand my career path before graduate.”

“Through this exchange tour, I learned how to plan a trip, connect with companies and adapt to the changing environment. Some unpredictable changes occurred during this tour, such as updates of quarantine policies in Mainland China and company closure. These experiences enabled us to learn how to communicate with different parties and build my resilience, as well as open my eyes and enrich my knowledge in AI.

This trip has helped me a lot in my future career development. I learnt how to determine my career interests, choose the suitable career path and perform myself in the workplace. We visited Qianhai International Talent Hub and the HR staff introduced the opportunities and employee benefits for Hong Kong people in the Greater Bay Area and the current openings in their company. I am very delighted that I have found my future career path and I am eager to pursue a career related to data analysis, big data management and business analytics.”

“After the tour, I found that AI development in Mainland China is mature and apply commonly. I would like to pursue a job in the Greater Bay Area after chatting with the employers of Qianhai International Talent Hub. They shared that they provided subsidies to Hong Kong students who work in Qianhai, such as housing subsidies in order to attract more Hong Kong graduates to work in GBA.

For insights in AI industry, I was impressed of the significant impact that AI provides across industries and sectors. Ultimately, I believe that the AI industry would expands its availability to other perspectives and offers more convenience to people from all segments.”

“Through this experience, I have gained valuable insights into the workings environment of AI companies such as Sense Time, DOBOT, and MINIEYE. In addition, we visited Hong Kong Enterprises located in Qianhai, such as iBath Limited and Qianhai International Talent Center. After visiting these companies, I learnt the great job opportunities for Hong Kong graduates in Greater Bay Area, hence I have decided to pursue my future career in the GBA.

The Exploring Mainland Business Culture Tour was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn about business culture in Mainland China and to develop my communication skills. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this tour, and I believe that the insights and experiences gained from this tour would definitely invaluable for me to continue my career in the global business environment.”

Share this article: