The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) is being held in Beijing from April 25th to 27th, 2019. In the six years since its inception, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has had a far-reaching and profound impact on the world. The BRI has played an important role in promoting closer ties between countries, and boosting global growth.

Five young expats from five continents that have been living and working in Guangdong during the past six years gave exclusive interviews to Nanfang Daily and News GD. Here are the five stories. Click the title to read more about each story.

Tamara: A Dutch air hostess in Guangdong

Tamara is a Dutch air hostess for China Southern Airlines. Over the past five years, Tamara has noticed a few changes on her flight: more and more people travelling for both business and pleasure between the Netherlands and Guangdong. In Tamara’s opinion, the Belt and Road Initiative is a great idea that connects many countries together, promoting development, and bringing a lot of new opportunities for cooperation in fields like industries, businesses, infrastructure and technology.

Julio Ruiz Tagle: A Chilean fruit agent in Guangdong

Julio Ruiz Tagle is a Chilean fruit agent in Guangdong. In many ways his Guangdong story began years ago when he read a copy The Travels of Marco Polo which sparked his interest in China. Julio is optimistic about cooperation between China and Chile, and looks forward to more business opportunities. He met his Italian girlfriend in Guangzhou, and they are planning to get married next year.

Chuu Eindayae: "Myanmar's most beautiful Chinese teacher" in Guangdong

Chuu Eindayae from Myanmar is a student on the Masters of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages program at the Jinan University College of Chinese Language and Culture in Guangzhou. Eindayae pointed out Chinese is becoming more and more popular around the world, that an increasing number of people are learning Chinese, especially the people in Myanmar. She told us that she wants to make the Chinese language an even stronger bridge between the people of both countries.

Felly: An African businessman in Guangdong

It has been 16 years since Felly came from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Guangzhou, China seeking business opportunities. Felly said that many parents in the Democratic Republic of Congo would encourage their kids to learn Chinese. Although the number of opportunities in his hometown are growing, Felly is used to life in Guangdong and is unwilling to give up his hard won achievements here. He also hopes to have a family and settle down in Guangzhou.

Hazza: Australian pursuing a career in Guangdong

Harry Harding, aka Hazza or (Da Ha) from Brisbane, Australia is now a TV and radio host at Guangdong Radio and Television (GRT). In his time at GRT, Hazza has hosted news, entertainment, travel and documentary programs, such as My Guangdong, Little Ma Big Ha, and China Chats. He believes that the Belt and Road Initiative is mainly about cooperation and mutual benefit, and hopes to continue to pursue his career in Guangzhou and become a permanent residence holder one day.

Planning: Cao Si, Zheng Youzhi, Luo Yanjun, Hu Liangguang, Zhang Youqiong, Wang Liangyu, Zhang Xilu, Zhang Ying

Reporters: Hu Liangguang, Gong Chunhui, Ma Limin, Peng Yifei, Hu Suqing, Monica Liu, Keane Wong

Video & photography: Zheng Yijian, Zhang Ziwang, Dong Tianjian, Xu Jie (intern)

Video editing & post-production: Zhou Xinyu, Luo Binhao, Zhang Qingliang, Li Jiajing (intern)

English editor: Simon Haywood