"Spring city" in the eyes of foreigners from Southeast and South Asia

Kunming, with its unique regional advantages and deep cultural significance, has attracted a growing number of foreigners from Southeast and South Asia in recent years. They come here for travel or study, or for business and work. Some of them even decide to make their homes in the city. At the beginning of the New Year, 11 foreigners from several countries, including Thailand, India and Myanmar narrated their Kunming stories and raised suggestions for the city.

For foreign teachers and oversea students: Kunming is a livable city.

Panisa from Thailand has been teaching Thai language in Kunming for 15 years. When speaking of teaching career, Panisa said that people pay more attention to Thai language nowadays. Kunming is striving for a regional international city, which has provided more exchanges and cooperations between the two side. Thai has become one of the most popular non-English languages in Kunming. And more people are planning to work in Thailand also.

As for Nick, a Thai student who is studying Chinese in Yunnan University, Kunming is more than a very livable city. The city won the heart of her with people's kindness quality, local foods and nice weather.

Feng Chengpeng from Singapore chose to study Chinese here 6 years ago. "there are so many Chinese schools in my country. But i think language environment is the key point for learning. So I came here.", said him, adding that the public transportation of Kunming has been improved greatly with the construction of metro. He is willing to work in metro company after graduation.

Dong Nanxiang, a teacher of a Chinese schools in Myanmar, has been here for two times. The urban construction and people's kindness quality leave a deep impression on him.

Jiang is a Chinese Myanmar. He participated in a talent competition which was held in Kunming for overseas Chinese in 2012. "The city is as modern as what I saw in the film." He is planning to come here to study now.

For foreign merchants: Kunming is an ideal place for investment

Kunming has saw an increasing number of exhibitions in recent years. For enterprises from Thailand, Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair offers them with more opportunities to find dealers from different regions. With the establishment of China- ASEAN Free Trade Zone, many enterprises from Thailand benefited from bilateral cooperations. Chen Youming, CEO of Thailand Chiang Rai Medium-sized and Small enterprises Business Association in China, introduced that many enterprises of this association have opened their branches in Kunming.

If you often go to Wenhua Alley in Kunming, you may be familiar with an Indian eatery named "印度菜菜". Sk Khan, owner of the eatery, is a native Indian. The city attracted him deeply when he came here for the first time in 2001. " Kunming is a city with multi-culture. Talking with local people is of great fun." said Sk Khan.

Han Sixing, an Thai who is working in Yunfang International Trade Center in Kunming, told that he is deeply in love with Kunming. He loves the nice weather, snacks and more business opportunities here.

Tan has been engaging in business in Kunming for 8 years. He met lots of difficulties when he first came here from Myanmar. But now the market of furniture is totally different. Most people in Kunming prefer import furniture. Tan's business is growing steadily day by day.

Director of a Myanmar Pharmaceutical co., LTD Su must leave for Kunming for business negotiations every year. As a rapid developing economy, Kunming has introduced a large number of high-tech enterprises. Some of them are listed in the world's top 500 enterprises.

"Our media company Mono Group will launch its branch in Kunming at the beginning of the year. A new entertainment programme will then be presented. ", said HAN PRANPRANOND, director of the company. Born in Thailand, he started media career from film and has ever developed his career in Hollywood. For him, Kunming is the second home.

Meanwhile, they have also offered some suggestions for the construction of Kunming.

Public toilet in Kunming should be increased. Sanitary condition of toilet still need to be improved.

More awnings and seats need to be set at bus stations.

English marks should be added on road signs to provide more convenience for foreigners who don't understand Chinese.

More measures should be taken to ease the traffic jam.

More policies for foreign businesses and investment should be carried out.

(Editors:Hyesung,Minnie Mao)