[Explanation] In the clothing city located in Shishi City, Quanzhou, Fujian, an Indian businessman Ravi, who speaks fluent Chinese, and his companions selected goods at various stalls, placed orders and prepared them for shipment abroad.
[Simultaneous on-site]
I want five models in total, two with hats and three without hats.
(Two with caps and three without caps.) 600 pieces each.
(What about the delivery date? When is the delivery date?) I have 10 days, 10 days delivery.
[Explanation] Now 37 years old, Lavey from Uttar Pradesh, India has lived in Shishi for 12 years.
In 2009, Lavey was sent by the company to Shishi to engage in international trade.
In 2011, Lavey seized the business opportunity and founded a trading company by himself, specializing in the export business of clothing.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Ravi
I have been in Shishi since 2009 in China, but not elsewhere.
Here are the things we export, which are okay, clothing.
Then I went to do some business here.
[Explanation] In Shishi, Lavey not only gained career, but also gained love.
In 2013, Lavey and his wife Li Huarong got married because of work, and now they have a lovely son.
Lavey said that he speaks Chinese well, all thanks to his wife.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Ravi
Before I could not speak Chinese, then I asked her (wife), she could speak English, and then I asked her how to say this, she would teach me a lot.
Then I communicated with her slowly, and the Chinese became better and better.
(Can you speak Hokkien?) I understand a little bit, but I don't know how to speak it yet (too), I can speak a little bit, such as eating, (Hokkien) have you eaten.
That's it, it's easy to say.
[Commentary] Lavey and Li Huarong are not only partners in life, but also partners in career.
Over the past few years, the two have worked closely together, and the business has become more prosperous.
[Concurrent] Ravi’s wife Li Huarong
It feels good, he does what he is good at, and then I do what I am good at, so that I can cooperate with each other and I think I can do better.
The factory will trust us (locals), and the customer will trust him, so we will do a good job with them, and we have done well for so many years.
[Explanation] Lavey told reporters that since last year, due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, overseas customers cannot go to the site to purchase and place orders. Many tasks can only be done through the Internet. The efficiency of the order link has decreased, but Shishi The various clothing manufacturers are still very strong.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Ravi
Now they (clients) can't come in, they can only say that we take pictures for him, send him samples, take orders with him, and do it here.
It will be slower, things will be slower.
Then I also hope that in the future, for example, all are opened, customers can come in, and business will be better and better.
[Explanation] After living and working in Shishi for more than ten years, Lavey has also experienced firsthand the development and changes of Shishi, a famous city of casual clothing in China.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Ravi
It's very convenient wherever we go, Didi, driving, everything is very convenient.
Everything is very convenient for eating.
Then, no matter where I go in the evening, I have no problem going out. I am not afraid of anything. It is very safe. I think it is safe to live here in China.
Because my wife and children are here, my business is here, and I will always be here from now on.
Going home is also when I go home once a year or two.
Life here is also very good, very good, everything is very convenient.
[Explanation] Lavey is not the only Indian merchant who has been engaged in clothing trade in Shishi for a long time.
They take root here and have a second home outside of India.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Vichy
I have been here for almost 20 years.
China gives us a good development (opportunity).
I was very young when I came here, and now I have children and families here, and then they all develop well here.
[Concurrent] Indian merchant Pan Kajun
I do clothing (business) here, make clothes, and then we go abroad, in Dubai, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
China is very good, we like it very much here, and the Chinese friends here are also very good, they are very good, they help us, this way.
[Concurrent] Chang Hao, Indian merchant
Development is very fast, very fast.
All countries want goods from here.
This did not exist before, maybe not in the previous 20 or 30 years.
But now slowly, all countries only want Made In CHINA (Made in China).
Usually (a day) 24 hours (some) 18 hours. Maybe I can speak Chinese.
The dream must be here.
If you die, you have to die here, that's what it means.
Wu Shengwei and Corning report from Quanzhou, Fujian
Editor in charge: [Li Ji]