By GONG Qian

Nine years ago, Christian Lee had never heard of Hefei, capital city of China's Anhui province. Drawn by a passion for adventure and opportunities in international education, he moved to Hefei—and today calls it home. As vice principal and Primary Years Programme Coordinator at Canada International School of Hefei (CISH), Lee is raising his family in the city, with his daughter enrolled at CISH.

In recent years, an increasing number of international professionals like Lee have chosen Hefei for its growing appeal. Recognized as one of the most attractive cities for foreign experts from 2019 to 2021 by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Hefei is emerging as a key destination for global talent.

▲ A group of swans swim in Chao Lake, one of China's largest freshwater lakes, located in southwestern Hefei, Anhui province. (PHOTO: VCG)

宜居城市，生活便利环境优美

Long-term residents praise Hefei’s rapid urban development. Malaysian scholar Low Jing Xiang recalled that when he arrived in 2018, Hefei had no subway system. Today, the city operates 14 metro lines—a testament to its infrastructural transformation. Low, who worked as a postdoctoral researcher and now serves as a research associate at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), noted continuous improvements in public services and transportation.

Shao Jian, CHO of Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Ltd., said overseas employees from Beijing and Shanghai are often surprised by how international and convenient life in Hefei can be. With its green spaces and clean environment, the city offers a high quality of living.

Hefei has developed numerous parks over the past decade, including Swan Lake Park and Xiaoyaojin Park. The city also borders Chao Lake, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes, enhancing its ecological appeal.

Tilly Erguder, principal of Middle/High School at CISH, highlighted Hefei’s safety. Living there with her son, she feels secure letting him go out at night or walking alone in the evening—an increasingly rare trait in cities worldwide.

科技创新高地，汇聚全球智力资源

For professionals in science and technology, Hefei offers compelling career opportunities. Stanley Lim, director and founder of the Wide-Band Gap Semiconductor Research Center at the China-Europe Electronic Materials International Innovation Center, found strong alignment between his expertise and Hefei’s industrial strategy.

The innovation center is jointly established by the Hefei Municipal Government, the Administration of Hefei National Hi-Tech District, and the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences—reflecting deep institutional support for R&D.

Hefei is recognized nationally as a pilot city for scientific and technological innovation and a hub for research and education, thanks to its concentration of top-tier institutions. The local government actively supports high-tech enterprises through funding, policy incentives, and talent programs.

Over the past decade, Hefei has advanced rapidly in economic and industrial development. It has become a leader in new-energy vehicles, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing—key factors in Volkswagen Anhui’s decision to base operations there.

Dr. Erwin Gabardi, CEO of Volkswagen Anhui, credited favorable investment policies and a supportive market environment for the company’s expansion. On April 18, Volkswagen Group announced a planned investment of around one billion euros to establish 100% TechCo in Hefei, focusing on electric vehicle development, innovation, and sourcing.

With its blend of livability, innovation, and open policies, Hefei is poised to attract even more international talent in the years ahead.

Editor | SONG Ziyan

Supervisor| TIAN Xueke