Lucas Rondez [Photo provided to China Daily]

Internet-led development for the future

"Running a business is sometimes a lonely task, but I'm grateful for the atmosphere Hangzhou provided me."

Rondez, who participated in the third World Internet Conference in 2016, said the platform is providing new opportunities for entrepreneurs like himself, and that the internet is leading the way in the market.

"Internet has bridged cultures and nations. I also hope that my work and myself can also act as a link for the world to communicate with China."

The idea is reflected in the naming of the app.

Rondez, now fluent in Mandarin, says though some foreigners may not know any Chinese, almost all of them are familiar with the term nihao, just like he was at the beginning.

Almost a decade ago, Rondez greeted China with nihao. Now, a decade later, he created an app so that more foreigners can not just greet the nation with "nihao", but truly live, immerse and experience China with much more ease.