Editor's Note:

The island-wide special customs operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port is not only a crucial step in policy advancement but also a new voyage towards the world. As the tides of the times surge, the Hainan FTP is attracting young talents from across the globe. They dedicate themselves to various industries, weaving their personal dreams into the open blueprint of this vibrant land. The "Decoding the Hainan FTP: Chasing Dreams" series captures the stories of these dynamic individuals—their choices, struggles, and achievements all serving as a vivid testament to Hainan's vitality and opportunities.

Here, behind every step they take towards realizing their dreams lies a future that the world will embrace.

In 2023, Dr. Bob dejkam moved from Beijing to Hainan, drawn by the great opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). He was not alone—in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, he encountered professionals from all over the world.

At present, as the international talent manager of the Talent Services Department of the Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City Administration, Dr. Bob leverages his language skills and multicultural background to build a "bridge of understanding" between international talent and FTP policies. "That's what I'm here for, to turn policies into real support and turn coming to China into staying here and developing here." For him, the significance of this role goes beyond helping each individual understand local policies—it lies in truly comprehending their concerns and needs.

As his work progresses, Dr. Bob frequently helps those talents who are working, studying, and living in Yazhou Bay with matters such as work & residence permits, healthcare, and education. These seemingly mundane tasks, which are crucial in helping international talent settle in Hainan, drive his growth, making him more professional, reliable, and efficient. What fulfills him most is seeing an international talent decide to stay here because he and his colleagues provided all the support they could and helped them resolve their issues. "I just realized my job here is not only to make policies more accessible and make it easier for people, but also to help their lives become more prosperous and happier in Yazhou Bay."

In addition, Dr. Bob has posted a series of short videos, “Maji and His 100 Friends,” to showcase the potential and vibrancy of Yazhou Bay. He hopes these vlogs, which foster warm exchanges and mutual understanding, will help international talent better understand the area and contribute to the growth of the Yazhou Bay community.

Over the years in Hainan, Dr. Bob has experienced greater happiness and less stress. He has also realized how his professional growth has become intertwined with the development of the Hainan FTP and Yazhou Bay. Looking ahead, his goals are clear and firm: to continuously enhance his capabilities and help build a more comprehensive and sustainable international talent service system in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City.

In his own way, Dr. Bob is helping international talent find a sense of belonging in Yazhou Bay and enabling the world to better understand this vibrant land of opportunity.

This series is funded by the China Internet Development Foundation (CIDF) and co-producted by Hinews and Hainan International Media Center.