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AMM: Can you tell us a bit more about these economic cor-
ridors?
Benjamin: So, for example, in the west of the city, in Xihu Dis-
trict, they are developing a 40-square-
kilometer economic corridor which contains the nation’s main
AI and Big Data research centers, as well as being the head-
quarters of many major companies, such as Ant Financial,
smart city developer Enjoyor Technology Group, and property
giant Greentown. Within this corridor, there are also hundreds
of state-run or privately-owned incubators/business parks
that specialize in different fields such as AI, Big Data, Fintech,
Blockchain, AR/VR and e-commerce. It’s been tremendously
exciting to watch this develop so rapidly.

AMM: What’s the scope of the development for these in Hang-
zhou?
Benjamin: Like most things in China, the scope and scale is
enormous. The government is pumping hundreds of billions of
dollars into development not just in Hangzhou, but also in oth-
er major cities like Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. The only
thing that matches the scope and scale of these projects is the
speed in which they develop them. As an entrepreneur there is
no place in the world as exciting as China, it really is the next
land of opportunity.

AMM: I think most people would find this level of development
quite surprising, since we don’t hear much about it in the West.
Why do you think that is?
Benjamin: I think there are a couple of reasons. The first is
they don’t map things out as an exact blueprint. In the West,
we have clearly outlined steps and stages, and then we execute
them. China tends to work on general principles and broad
goals, and then places significant resources behind them while
altering the scope as they go along. The second reason is they
struggle to effectively communicate with the international com-
munity—you have to remember that the country only opened
up to the world in 1987—but encouragingly they are becoming
better at overcoming the language barrier and cultural differ-
ences, which is evident from the increasing amount of foreign
business setting up shop here.

AMM: Would you recommend Hangzhou to other foreigners
looking to do business in China?
Benjamin: Absolutely, whether it’s grants, subsidies and match- Benjamin Speyer is the founder and CEO of Serica, one of China’s leading
making services from the local government, investment and consultancies, which specializes in helping foreign technology companies ex-
commercial support from the private sector, or the outstanding pand into the Chinese market. His team of Western and Chinese consultants
local talent, you have everything you need to succeed here. For combine their knowledge, experience and networks to broker high-net deals,
living, Hangzhou has a vibrant culture, lots of natural scenery partnerships and investments to grow their clients’ businesses in this burgeon-
such as the Westlake, Longjing tea fields and the Xixi Wetlands, ing market. His success was recognized by Chinese government and he was
and it doesn’t lack any of the creature comforts you’d expect given the title of ‘President of the Hangzhou International Entrepreneurs As-
from a major international city. sociation’ in 2018 for his contribution to the city’s international development.

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