Across China: Young Swiss dreams big in China

Lucas Rondez, a 33-year-old Swiss, has it all: a Chinese name, a Chinese wife, and a burgeoning business based in eastern China's Zhejiang Province. For him, the Chinese dream has no boundaries.

In Hangzhou, the provincial capital, it is common for a foreigner to open a mobile application called NiHao (meaning hello in Chinese), if they want to book train tickets and hotels or hail a car.

Since Lucas and his team came up with NiHao last September, the number of registered members on the platform has exceeded 100,000. Besides the on-demand services, the app also offers instant translation, navigation, and event information.

"China is now a land of opportunities, and you can realize your dream here," Lucas said in fluent Chinese. "You can always chase a dream in America, and now startups like mine can also take a chance in China."

As well as going by the name Lucas, he also uses his Chinese name - Hong Zhiyuan, meaning high aspirations.

Lucas worked at the United Bank of Switzerland when he first came to Hangzhou in 2007. After living in China for nine years, he knows the country well.

"But for other foreigners who are new to the country, life can be inconvenient due to language obstacles and cultural differences," Lucas said. "They don't have to go through all the troubles I went through, in this Internet Plus age.

Last year, he quit his job and started a business, leading a team of 20 people.

"Starting a business is difficult and expensive in my country. But here in China, the government encourages it and supports you," he said.

According to Lucas, the local government has given his team much support such as housing subsidies and lower taxes. Last month, he applied for a subsidy of 500,000 yuan (about 73,000 U.S. dollars) based on office space and salaries, according to new favorable policies.

"Entrepreneurs are usually lonely. But here in Hangzhou, you are not alone, as many companies will come to your help," he added.

Hangzhou is a city of startup workshops and all sorts of incubators, he said, adding that entrepreneurs can always learn experience from successful startups and meet potential investors. Venture capital companies also keep a close relationship with startups.

Last month, Lucas's team launched a new app called "Nibook" in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Qingdao, all megacities along China's eastern coast. On Nibook, Chinese and foreigners can have lessons in languages, painting, football, and baking, etc.

"I hope that all foreigners in China can live a happy life and realize their Chinese dream with my apps removing language barriers and making their life in China more convenient," he said. Endi