“In my dreams the landscapes so divine, so many years far from my homeland, but nothing can ever change it, the Chinese heart of mine”, words brought to fame by singer Cheung Ming-man in the 1980s, the song ‘My Chinese Heart’ still moves overseas Chinese to contribute to the development of their homeland.

Henry Xiao is a Chinese-American whose grandparents were born in Guangdong. After obtaining a doctorate in the US, he decided to come back to China to start his own business.

[Photo: Steven Yuen]

“I want to save more people”

“When I came back the first time. I was really shocked because its totally different”, Xiao could still remember the day when he came back to China. “There are a lot of big buildings, a lot of freeways and also a lot of private cars now running on the road, that change really impressed me”.

Ten years ago, Xiao’s father died of cancer in China, which prompted Xiao to bring more high technology to the Chinese market in an attempt to help save more lives. In 2016, thanks to the ongoing reform and opening-up in Guangdong, Xiao established a company focusing on cancer treatment through advanced bio-technology, and they are now based in the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City (SSGKC).

“When we registered for the first time with the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, I was very surprised because they are very efficient and it took only around one day to get a license. I was very satisfied with their service. And from that time I knew that this a good place for me to set up the company”, said Xiao.

Xiao also feels that Guangzhou is a very friendly city and the people here are very open minded.

“They want the foreign companies to share their opinions on the development of the Chinese economy”, he added.

[Photo: Steven Yuen]

“China provides more opportunities for every country”

According to the data released by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the number of Chinese immigrants is estimated at over 60 million. The country has attached increasing importance to realising the latent power of this special community.

According to Xiao, during his school-days in America, he paid more attention to the development of China because he has always known his roots lie in China, and that's why he wants now to build a bridge between China and the US.

“China is becoming more and more powerful and right now it's the second biggest economy in the world. China provides more opportunities for every country, and especially to foreign companies doing business in China”, said Xiao.

In 2018, China and Singapore have upgraded the SSGKC to a national-level project and one year later, in 2019, the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has ensured the SSGKC will play an important role during the construction of the world-class Greater Bay Area.

Xiao believes that his company can enjoy multiple benefits in terms of the preferential policies, capital, and especially talent.

“Because we are located at the heart of the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Great Bay Area”, Xiao said with a great smile.

Author: Keane Wong

Editor: Simon Haywood