Fanning the flames of innovation

Shanghai has in recent months become a second home for Xie Fayan, a Xiamen-based maker who frequently enters the city to attend exhibitions and showcase Guguji, a small portable printer he created that can be used to print messages and social media content on mobile phones.

"It is always exciting to see many makers like myself in Shanghai who are bringing handy solutions to make life easier," said the 26-year-old Xie at the recent 2016 Consumer Electronics Show Asia (CES Asia) held in Shanghai.

The event this year featured more than 200 exhibitors from around the world.