With Chinese New Year just around the corner, the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology, and Innovation Bureau and the Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Experts Affairs Bureau hosted a Spring Festival panel at Shenzhen University Alumni Plaza.
祥龙辞岁去，瑞蛇迎春来。1月17日，由深圳市科技创新局（市外国专家局）主办的“我和深圳——外籍专家新春慰问活动”在深圳大学校友广场成功举办。
The event included 13 international experts from the U.S., Italy, Spain, Japan, and other countries living in Shenzhen. These foreign experts, representing higher education institutes and companies such as Shenzhen University, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Cell Valley Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., and LuluLe Creative, shared their work and life experiences in the city. They also participated in traditional Lunar New Year activities, deepening their sense of belonging and connection to Shenzhen.
本次活动吸引了13位来自深圳大学、哈尔滨工业大学（深圳）、中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院、深圳北理莫斯科大学等高校、科研院所以及深圳细胞谷生物医药有限公司、LuluLe Creative等企业的美国、西班牙、意大利、日本、尼日利亚等国专家。在这里，他们同怀新春期待，共话未来愿景。
International experts share their insights and personal experiences at a Spring Festival panel at Shenzhen University on Friday. Photos by Lin Songtao
在“我和深圳——外籍专家新春慰问活动”中，外国专家们一起共话未来愿景。摄影：林松涛
Friday’s event was co-organized by the Shenzhen University Institute for Innovative Shenzhen Urban Communication and EyeShenzhen.
该活动由深圳大学深圳城市传播创新研究中心与深圳报业集团全球传播中心联合承办。
At the beginning of the program, Chen Yuyi, deputy head of the talent department of the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology, and Innovation Bureau, extended warm Spring Festival wishes to the foreign experts, expressing gratitude for their contributions to the city’s technological development and innovation, as well as to the exchange between China and the world.
活动伊始，深圳市科技创新局（市外国专家局）外国专家和科技人才处副处长陈宇一向外籍专家们送上新春祝福和诚挚问候，感谢外国专家为深圳科技创新事业和中外友好交流所作积极贡献。
As a pilot city for identifying high-end and professional foreign talent, Shenzhen is continuously optimizing the management of foreign workers in China and enhancing services for foreign experts. The city has set up eight workstations for processing foreign work permits at district and sub-district levels and has organized a series of events for foreign talent. Shenzhen welcomes foreign professionals and remains dedicated to improving the convenience and service level for them, ensuring a secure working environment.
深圳作为国家外籍“高精尖缺”人才认定标准试点，持续优化外国人来华工作管理，提升外国专家服务，在8个区、街道级设立外国人来华工作许可服务站，不定期组织外籍人才系列活动，全方位提升外籍专家们在深生活和工作的融入感和幸福感。深圳欢迎外国人才来深工作，将继续致力提升外国人才在深工作的便利性和服务水平，为外国人才在深安心工作提供保障。
Jeroen van de Weijer from the Netherlands (L) listens attentively as Maksim Silenko from Russia offers his perspective.
来自荷兰的Jeroen van de Weijer（左）仔细聆听俄罗斯专家Maksim Silenko的发言。
During the panel, the experts shared their insights and experiences in Shenzhen, offering suggestions for urban development, supporting services, scientific research activities, and industrial growth.
座谈中，外籍专家们各抒己见，就城市建设、生活配套、科研活动、产业发展等交流意见和建议。不仅分享了在深圳的独特见解与宝贵经验，还为城市未来发展建言献策 。
Andrew Flannery, an American who teaches humanities and social sciences at Huitong School, discussed the panel’s importance. “I think that panels like today’s are extremely important to people like me for a few reasons. One is being able to learn about the experiences of people who have been here longer,” he said. “At the same time, being part of these panels allows people like me to help the city and its decision-makers understand unique experiences that newcomers have compared to others.”
来自美国，现任深圳荟同学校人文教师的Andrew Flannery称这场座谈会意义非凡。“此次活动，让我深入了解到在深圳定居的外籍人士的过往经历。作为初来乍到的外籍人士，这次活动也给了我分享自身经历的机会，助力这座城市及其决策者更好地了解像我这样的新深圳人可能面临的问题 。”
Speaking about the networking aspect of the event, Flannery stated, “These panels provide an opportunity to meet other experts across various industries and fields, fostering both connections and friendships, and giving attendees a clearer picture of what’s happening in the city.”
座谈会的热烈讨论拉近了外籍专家们彼此间的距离。Flannery表示：“此次活动为我提供了与来自不同行业、不同领域专家交流的契机，让我们得以建立联系，也让与会者对深圳这座城市有了更为清晰的认知。”
Jose Antonio Vigara Alvarez de Perea from Spain (L) engages in a discussion with a participant during the event.
来自西班牙的专家Jose Antonio Vigara Alvarez de Perea（左）和同伴热烈交谈中。
Shunichi Takeda, a Japanese professor at Shenzhen University’s Medical School, also found the discussion highly beneficial. “I sat next to someone who runs a company, which is exactly the kind of collaboration I hope to explore in the future,” Takeda shared.
深圳大学医学部特聘教授Shunichi Takeda同样认为该座谈会极具价值。“我坐在一位生物医药公司负责人身旁，这正是我未来期望探索合作的对象。”
Building on Flannery’s thoughts about networking, Takeda added, “This panel offers a fantastic opportunity to build relationships and connect with other experts and professors. From the discussion, I learned that many share the sentiment that Shenzhen is a city full of opportunities.”
他还提到：“这场小组讨论会为我们彼此建立联系、与其他专家教授交流，提供了绝佳机会。听了专家们的分享，我也了解到很多人都像我一样，认为深圳是一座充满机遇的城市。”
After the panel, the experts tried their hands at traditional Chinese New Year customs, such as writing couplets and the Chinese character “福” (pinyin: fu; meaning “good fortune”).
座谈会结束后，外籍专家们还体验了写春联、写“福”字等中国传统春节习俗。
Olatunji Mumini Omisore, an associate researcher at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, tried writing the character with the help of a calligraphy teacher.
来自尼日利亚的Olatunji Mumini Omisore在书法老师的悉心指导下，亲手书写了一个“福”字。
“One of the things that inspires me about Chinese culture is how it incorporates symbols and traditions into daily life. For example, ‘福’ represents good fortune, luck, and positivity for the coming year. I truly hope that the year brings many opportunities, personal growth, and ways to contribute to society,” Omisore told Shenzhen Daily.
这位任职于中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院的副研究员发出感慨：“中国文化令我着迷。其精妙之处在于，将文字符号、传统文化与对日常生活的祝福融合在一起。例如，‘福’字代表着来年的幸福、好运与积极向上。我衷心希望新的一年能带来更多机遇，让我获得更多个人成长，拥有更多为社会做贡献的途径。”
