Fast-changing Hangzhou eases govt processes

For Lucas Rondez, a Swiss entrepreneur who has been living in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, since 2007, the city has a lot in common with his home country. Both are tourist destinations with breathtaking natural scenery.

But there is one striking difference - unlike Switzerland, "changes are happening every day here", said Rondez, CEO of Hangzhou NiChuang Network Technology Co, which specializes in introducing foreign startups to the city.

"The local government here has been encouraging business innovation and the incubation of startup firms, and has offered a lot of favorable policies - for example, financing," he said. "It makes it easier for foreigners to start a company in a fast and convenient way, especially during the past two years.