Bertha Alvarado Banuet was born in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, and recalled that her first visit to China was a family trip when she was around 8 years old. Although she was just a child, this experience planted the initial seed of interest.

As she described it, "I became passionate about the culture, its sense of distant mystery, the unique landscapes and even the food."

This early inclination toward China took on a more concrete shape in 2014, when Alvarado participated in an academic exchange at Lingnan University in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during her final year of university.

Etched in her memory

During this exchange program, the Mexican student, who was pursuing an international business degree at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico City, took a series of courses, primarily in politics and administration.

Hong Kong, with population of 7 million, left a deep impression on her. "It is a place that I will always hold dear, as it welcomed me 10 years ago and allowed me to discover a part of the world I was unfamiliar with. It intrigued me and inspired me to learn more," she elaborated.

Back in Mexico, Alvarado's passion for Asia, and especially China, continued to grow. In February 2016, she officially joined the Mexico office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. As a promotion manager, her role involved coordinating and promoting events held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, as well as several trade fairs, including those held alongside the Canton Fair, a major gateway to the vast Chinese market. Formally known as the China Import and Export Fair, the Canton Fair is held biannually in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province—which neighbors Hong Kong. During her 18 months in this position, she led at least six delegations of Mexican businesspeople to Hong Kong.

This career experience not only provided her with valuable insights, but also stressed the strong ties connecting China and Mexico, as well as their potential for future growth.

"This year marks 52 years of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico, and the numbers speak for themselves," she added. While Mexico's trade diplomacy with the United States and certain political factors have limited growth in some sectors, Alvarado believes that progress continues in other, equally important fields. She said the impact of Chinese investment in Mexico is substantial—not just economically, but in its influence on Mexican society. "It's becoming more common to hear Mexican families mention Chinese brands in their daily lives, including [information and communications technology solutions provider] Huawei, [smartphone maker] Xiaomi, [electric vehicle manufacturer] BYD, and [telecommunications equipment producer] ZTE," she explained.

At the forefront

Alvarado's connection with China didn't stop there. In 2017, she returned to the country on a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in international politics and economics at Beijing Language and Culture University. This move brought her to Beijing, a city steeped in history and culture, embodied by landmarks such as the Palace Museum, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.

China has positioned itself at the forefront of the world's technological revolution and digitization in recent years. Alvarado experienced this process firsthand when she joined cybersecurity company Beijing Qihoo Technology Co. Ltd. (commonly known as 360) as an intern in 2019, during her final year of graduate studies.

One year later, she took a big leap and officially joined the company's operations management team, where she worked for the next four years. In this role, she was responsible for planning and coordinating digital content strategy for Latin America, and managing primary partnerships.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, many companies saw their operations disrupted. 360 faced similar challenges but found a way to capitalize on this period. "As a developer of cutting-edge tech systems, we were able to traverse any distance—in time and space," Alvarado explained.

Today, she works at another tech firm, where she witnesses new advancements taking shape every day. "I believe this aligns with the [Chinese] Government's strategy to invest in research and development, draw from a large pool of highly skilled engineers and scientists, and leverage a vast domestic market that nurtures innovation and competitiveness," she noted.

Lessons from life

To date, the Mexican national has had the opportunity to live in three of China's most iconic places: Hong Kong, Beijing, and most recently, Shanghai. Each one has unique characteristics that add a unique flavor to their every corner. "Just like life, which progresses in stages, I have been able to enjoy each place at different points in my life," Alvarado reflected.

Speaking about Shanghai, she pointed out that the city's fast-paced lifestyle perfectly complements its modern architecture. "It's exciting to try to keep up with it," she added.

But the most important aspect of this long journey has been the lessons China has offered her. She didn't just refer to the professional knowledge she's gained but also to the life lessons that have deeply influenced her as a person.

"What I once deemed to be unusual in Mexico can be entirely normal here—and vice versa," she observed.

China has allowed her to experience a different culture and gain new perspectives on various situations and aspects of life.

On the other hand, many aspects of China resonate with her personally. "Just as people have their own personality, so does this country," she continued. "I feel that China matches my lifestyle and life philosophy, which lean more toward pragmatism and adaptability."

A pioneering spirit, along with the perseverance and effort of everyone in society, is what has propelled China toward economic progress and, in turn, improved the quality of life for its people.

Alvarado cited Chinese immigrants in Mexico as an example, stating that despite language barriers, lack of capital and bureaucratic hurdles, they rise every day, persevering until they achieve their goals.

Looking to the near future, this young Mexican hopes to continue her personal and career growth in China.

Nevertheless, the world is full of opportunities, so Alvarado does not rule out the possibility of living in another country at some point. "The lifestyle and conveniences that China offers are very appealing, but being in such an international environment always opens up the possibility and desire to explore new paths," she concluded. 

(Print edition title: On the Cutting Edge)         

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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