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CHINA : As Hong Kong marks the 10th anniversary of its handover to Chinese rule, entrepreneurs from the city are finding more opportunities in the mainland.
Channel NewsAsia talks to one of the businessmen who were among the first to venture into the mainland after it opened up to the world.
While the motivation for most is profits, some have simply chosen to pursue their dreams and passions.
Bing Chiu is an ad-man by day and runs a restaurant by night. He juggles many hats, but he is not complaining.
As a matter of fact, he is enjoying it to the hilt.
That's because the vast mainland is providing opportunities for him to fulfil his dreams - something which may not be possible in pricey Hong Kong.
"I put most of my savings into the shop and I am new to the business, new to this food and beverage business. Everything have to be recreated again and even my personality, I would say," he said.
The self-confessed free spirit usually does not allow himself to be tied down by anything.
Yet he has opened two restaurants - in Beijing and in Langfang, Hebei.
Both restaurants are not exactly making buckets of money at the moment, but if you ask him how long more he plans to stay, as he has been in the mainland since 1998, he is happily stumped for an answer.
Bing Chiu said: "I am stuck with it. So honestly, I have never really had a long-term plan. I plan but I never insist, because things change."
Over the years, this savvy creative director has also learn to fuse his Hong Kong identity with the motherland's.
Bing Chiu added: "I am not confused. But of course now we have to reposition ourselves as a Chinese first and then as a Chinese born in Hong Kong. I see myself as a person, as a true Chinese, so I can be here and there - Shanghai, Beijing, Langfang, TianJin, Hong Kong, Taiwan, wherever."
It is a very practical and shrewd positioning indeed.
The myriad of opportunities in this vast and lucrative market has drawn many Hong Kong investors to the mainland.
While often being regarded as enterprising folks, Bing Chiu has certainly left his mark on the mainland economy. - CNA/de
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