Chongqing- Martin is a professional photographer from Croatia who used to work and travel across exotic locations worldwide during his managerial tenure on cruise ships. He began coming to and from Chongqing around six years ago but has been settled in the city for the past three now.

Since the modern skyline and historical architecture blend impressively with the dramatic natural scenery of mountains and rivers, the city is a photographer’s dream, and Martin spends much of his time capturing great shots of Chongqing, which he shares on many platforms, including his Instagram page maaXaam and Weibo page maaXXaam.

Chongqing has continued to develop rapidly in light of the 13th Five Year Plan that is now concluding. During this time, Martin has personally experienced many changes on the ground, and so iChongqing reached out to learn how which developments have been the most profound in his experience.

Naturally, one of the most visible changes Martin has seen comes from traveling between the many locations around the city to take pictures, and he also works with NIKON to train local enthusiasts on how to improve their photography skills.

“The biggest changes are the urban development and the city skyline that keeps soaring. The level of connectivity via public transportation has improved, and if you plan to get somewhere on time, you now rely on the public transportation system.”

“I use public transport the most frequently to travel across the city, and the level of convenience has made the task of commuting a real pleasure.”

As a long-term resident in Chongqing, the cost of living is also something he pays close attention to, as development continues to bridge the gap with traditional economic powerhouses in China's coastal regions.

“I also feel that one of the most significant achievements is actually relatively stable house prices.”

There are other public services that Martin has personal experience with, and another that came to mind during the interview was the question of hospitals.

“Thankfully, I did not often have the need to visit hospitals regularly, but there have been occasions where family members have used these services. Hospitals in the city do seem to be crowded still, but I think this will even out over time. However, I do wish to praise the community centers that serve the local populace, as well as county hospitals that offer very high standards of care services, which we have used without the stress of dealing with large crowds. “

Looking towards the future, Martin drew on his personal experience of life and work in Chongqing and expressed his thoughts on how the city can become more international at a direct social level, in addition to the open economy, public services, and tourist industry.

“I would like to see more integrative processes to support foreign talent, as well as a more open mindset towards people who have great ideas on how to put this city on the world map.”

Martin continued, “The experience of opening means having faith in people to run a different set of ideas and processes in terms of mutual understanding and trust so that we are all willing to work for the benefit of society and make progress.”

As an example, he concluded the interview with this final comment, "There is a great pool of travelers, educators, and talent among the ex-pat populace, so if there were greater scope for foreigners to create and lead projects to further cultural diversity and inclusiveness through creative outlets, it would only enhance the truly wonderful experience that Chongqing already offers.'