On November 23, 2017, a group of 20 international students from Tsinghua University visited Meituan’s headquarters in Beijing. The visit is the first of the "Discover China Through Company Visits” series organized by Tsinghua University International Students and Scholars Center, aiming to help international students better understand the leading lifestyle e-commerce platform and the future development of this market leader.

(Meituan-Dianping Integrated Command Center)

The company visit commenced with a guided tour of Meituan-Dianping Integrated Command Center, presenting the international students with an overview of the basic information and developmental milestones of the corporation. In this era of rapid development, online to offline (O2O) marketing plays a vital role in today’s society. As the biggest lifestyle e-commerce platform in China, not only is Meituan the market leader in the O2O sector, but also increasingly becoming an important element in the daily lives of international students.

(Mr. Xia Huaxia, Class of 1993, Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University. Chief Scientist at Meituan in charge of the F&B platform structure)

International students were given the opportunity to meet and talk with Mr. Xia Huaxia, Tsinghua University Alumni, who is currently the Chief Scientist at Meituan. Mr. Xia provided a comprehensive introduction to the operations, business segments, research and development investments and the social value of the company. Mr. Xia also shared his personal career development experiences and advice.

(Zheng Jiaying from Malaysia asking a question in the Q&A session)

International students who participated in this visit came from the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Peru and Indonesia. The group of students shared stories about the development of the e-payment and lifestyle e-commerce platforms in their home country. Students’ interaction with Meituan employees revolved around hot topics such as delivery rider’s safety and personal protection. International students also shared their personal opinions on possible overseas expansion of Meituan and the recruitment of international employees.

(Zhang Lingxiao from Thailand and Huang Xueyu from Malaysia experiencing the rider’s job)

In order to ensure that students receive a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the corporation, students were given the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities. Huang Xueyu from Malaysia and Zhang Lingxiao from Thailand participated in a short introductory training before putting on the uniform of a Meituan rider. They went through the entire delivery process of snatching an order, receiving an order, picking up the meal and delivering the meal as a rider.

(International Students trying on the gears of a rider)

Professor Yang Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, said, “As an enterprise founded by Tsinghua Alumni, Meituan Dianping is active in cultivating talent from our university. Their effort in helping international students understand China is praiseworthy. Such program can be extended to more students. A full day experience as a rider will benefit the students in many ways.”

As the first “international student rider” of the day, Zhang Lingxiao remarked that this unique experience allowed her to better understand the complexities of a rider’s responsibilities. Hongye from Peru also shared that not only did this company visit help her understand the business operations of Meituan; it also provoked her to appreciate the rapid development of the e-commerce industry in China and the applicability of such in her home country.

(Group photo with Mr. Xia Huaxia)

Source: Tsinghua University International Students and Scholars Center WeChat platform