Nanning is incubating its cross-border eCommerce livestreaming business as a result of the talent living there being fluent in what are sometimes called minor languages. — China Daily
BEIJING: Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has seen a spark in business thanks to residents who speak languages that, while regionally important, are not spoken widely across the globe, officials say.
The city is incubating its cross-border eCommerce livestreaming business as a result of the talent living there being fluent in what are sometimes called minor languages.
Unlike Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Nanning doesn’t possess many advantages in the eCommerce supply chain.
Yet, with a low cost of living and government support for foreign trade with South-East Asian nations, Nanning has shown an important strength.
The city has also benefited from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement that took effect on Jan 1, 2022.
The RCEP agreement covers 15 Asia-Pacific countries, which include the 10 member states of Asean. Over the next 20 years, the pact is expected to reduce up to 90% of tariffs on goods traded among its members.
Nanning is located close to South-East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Many foreigners have gravitated to Nanning, which has provided the city with a diverse language pool.
Nutchaya Seyungkun, a young Thai live streaming anchor, has continued to live and work in Nanning after her graduation from Guangxi Minzu University in 2020.
Besides anchoring eCommerce live streaming sessions, Seyungkun said she is considering opening a Sino-Thai cultural company to promote exchange between the two countries.
Live streaming has reshaped the eCommerce business in China, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. Anchors serve as the core of the live-streaming sector, and providing a competitive salary has been critical for retaining talent.
Anchors who speak minor languages and conduct live-streaming sessions often earn 4,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan (RM2,567 to RM3,209) monthly, comparable to the average level of local salaries, based on public recruitment information. — China Daily/ANN
