Peter Helis Shares 22-Year Journey in Greater Bay Area with Guangzhou Daily

Guangzhou, China – November 7, 2025 – Peter Helis, a German national and global investment promotion director for Guangzhou Development District, is featured in a prominent Guangzhou Daily profile titled "“洋总监”广州上班记" (A Foreign Director's Work Life in Guangzhou). The in-depth interview highlights his 22-year immersion in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), his fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, and his pivotal role in bridging foreign enterprises with opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing economic hubs.Known in China as He Liping (贺励平), Helis has evolved from a London University student of Chinese language in 1998 to a trusted "China expert" facilitating European investments in the GBA. His story, penned by Guangzhou Daily reporter He Ruiqi, captures his personal and professional transformation amid the region's explosive development."If you can succeed in China, you can succeed globally," Helis states in the article. "This isn't just my investment logic—it's the story of my life choices."Key highlights from the interview include:

• Early Connection to China: Arriving in 1999 via Beijing and Shenzhen, Helis was captivated by Hong Kong's dynamism. In 2003, he relocated from Europe to Hong Kong, a move initially met with skepticism from family and friends. By 2013, he settled in Guangzhou as General Manager of the German Chamber of Commerce office, quickly embracing the city's safety, inclusivity, and vibrant culture—from world-famous Cantonese cuisine to its 2,000-year history.

• Career Milestone: In 2019, Helis became Global Investment Promotion Director for Guangzhou Development District (Huangpu District). He conducts industry research, policy training, and enterprise consultations, focusing on sectors like biomedicine, new energy, and advanced materials.

• Bridging Cultures: As a "communication bridge," Helis explains Chinese concepts in Western terms—translating "high-quality development" as innovation-driven, green, and efficient growth. He prioritizes market analysis for foreign firms: proximity to an 80-million-person consumer base, complete supply chains, and top talent—before detailing incentives like zero-rent industrial parks for qualified projects.

• Daily Life in the GBA: Fully integrated, Helis cooks Chinese stir-fries and soups at home, uses chopsticks, cycles along Huangpu's greenways, and pursues bird photography as a hobby (sharing rare sightings like the black-faced spoonbill on social media, amassing over 1,000 followers). This year, he hosted his German parents for Chinese New Year in Guangzhou and at his seaside retreat in Jiangmen’s Xinhui district.

• Language Mastery: Fluent in Mandarin, conversational in Cantonese, and attuned to internet slang like "anti-involution," Helis views lifelong learning as key. "Learning Chinese is the best way to understand China—I'm living proof," he says, encouraging young foreigners to overcome language barriers.

• Future Outlook: At 53, Helis plans to work until retirement, potentially exploring Asia or staying in the GBA. He sees the region as a magnet for foreign talent and investment, backed by Guangdong's robust stats: over 360,000 foreign-invested enterprises, $600 billion in utilized FDI, and strong growth in new setups this year.

  
  

The feature includes photos by Guangzhou Daily photographer Yang Yaoye, showcasing Helis at work, birdwatching, and interacting with students in Guizhou. It underscores the GBA's appeal through initiatives like the annual Global Investment Promotion Conference, which has secured trillions in deals since 2022.Peter Helis continues to accelerate mutual growth, connecting European technology and capital with the GBA's manufacturing and innovation ecosystem for win-win outcomes.

Peter Helis is a German expert in China-Europe trade with over two decades in the Greater Bay Area. As Global Investment Promotion Director for Guangzhou Development District, he promotes high-quality foreign investments and fosters international collaboration.

the original article can be found here: https://huacheng.gz-cmc.com/pages/2025/11/06/b50199106d5440d2be0ecaf1d56c54c7.html