Dubai: Chinese expatriates who consider Dubai their second home said its openness and relative tolerance are the main reasons for their decision to stay. They said it’s no surprise Dubai may soon have its own ‘China Town’.

The complexities of Chinese life in mainland China, coupled with cut-throat competition for work due to its dense population, have fuelled the diaspora of Chinese nationals throughout centuries.

The cases of Chinese nationals exploring the UAE as their greener pasture is no exception. The UAE now holds more than half the population of the total Chinese expatriates in the Mena region.

Shi Jiaoyang, a Chinese senior teacher from Benxi city, Liaoning, a province to the east of Beijing, came to Dubai with the same purpose: better employment opportunities.

“I came to Dubai in March 1999 for a new life and to make more money for my future. I had already been a teacher in China for about 23 years; it’s enough,” Shi told Gulf News.

The trip to Dubai then was a total adventure, which allowed her to experience things she had never seen before.

“When I arrived in March, it was so warm. Many people were very friendly to me at the airport. When I stepped out, there were so many luxury cars on the road, so many beautiful neon lights flashing everywhere. I saw so many mosques around the city.”

Shi said she adjusted easily to Dubai life. The same goes for Lucy Chuang, who has lived in many cities including in Europe and in the US, but the UAE is by far where they have stayed the longest.

“For me, because we move a lot, we have developed the ability to adjust easily to the host country,” Chuang, from the Global-Sino Consultancy, told Gulf News.

“I like change so much and Dubai’s landscape changes regularly. But the vibrant community of Dubai, its multicultural society and very tolerant government are the main reasons why we’ve stayed here for ten years now,” she added.

Chuang said her dreams are within reach in Dubai simply because she gets to do her work without worries.

“It’s very safe, so I have nothing to worry about when it comes to my children. Here we live in harmony with others, we have a peaceful life despite the many cultures and nationalities living here.”

Joana, 27, who lives in International City, agreed. “If you’re a language major, you want to be able to communicate with others. I can do that here since Dubai hosts [around 200 nationalities].”

Work and business opportunities are also plentiful compared with China.

More and more Chinese businessmen are coming to set up business here. They have gone beyond Deira, Dragon Mart and International City. Chuang said. Many of them are now moving to New Dubai areas like the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and the like. If the trend continues, Dubai might have its own China Town soon, Chuang said.

“We’re already talking about it. We are looking forward to having our own China Town here.”