Many are former city-dwellers in search of an elusive prize in authoritarian China: Space for open discussion and exchange of ideas.
POLICE OVERSIGHTThe local government has sought to attract young tech talent and in September asked digital nomads for input on policies, two community organisers told Reuters.
Many digital nomads who use co-working spaces are involved with technologies like blockchain, according to organisers, which they say has drawn scrutiny from local authorities.
"We are more low-key and don't emphasise digital nomads in our marketing anymore," one co-working space staffer told Reuters, adding that conservative local governments in rural towns like Dali are "cautious of emerging technologies".
Since digital nomads, unlike university students, "are not subject to structured discipline, they are harder to manage", she said.
Persons:
Laurie Chen DALI, Trump, Xi Jinping, Minhua Ling, Dali, Xi's, Bai Yunxi, Xi, Bai, Chen Zhengyun, Chen, Ling, Laurie Chen, Katerina Ang
Organizations:
Geneva Graduate Institute, Reuters, Communist Party
Locations:
China, China's, Israel, Gaza, Dali, Yunnan, Beijing