Cyril Ruiz-Moise (fourth from left) participates in a soccer game organized for his staff members.

SGD's investment in the plant has been constant and increasing: It modernized equipment and facilities in 2000; started a decoration line in 2006; added two production lines in 2007; built a clean room in 2008; and upgraded the facilities for infusion-Type 2 bottles in 2010. It decided this year to inject 60 million yuan ($9.4 million) into the facility.

"A 60 million yuan investment is equivalent to five normal years. We're confident of our market and confident of delivering it from Zhanjiang. Here, the government has proven to us that this is a good environment for investment."

SGD's confidence in China in general and in Zhanjiang in particular is also reflected in its foray into research and development.

"We serve the most demanding clients in the world," Ruiz-Moise says. "The standards we deliver here are exactly the same as those we ship from Europe or America."

Ruiz-Moise grew up in Lyon but considers Zhanjiang home after living in China for nearly 10 years.

He has the uncanny ability to be both a workaholic and a bon vivant. Other than boating, he is an epicurean and raves about local seafood. One of his preferred delicacies is the BBQ oysters with minced garlic.

This may not seem unusual for a Frenchman. He says he's often asked if his nationality means he's romantic.

"I don't know if it's true. In France, we don't really talk about us being like that. So, at first it was surprising to hear it all the time," he says.

As he's also of Spanish descent, and Spain is viewed as a "passionate" country, he jokes he could be called a "passionate romantic".

But how does a "passionate romantic" cope with life in a place not exactly teeming with expats?

"I am not married," he explains. "Dates are not too hard to find, but a wife is real hard."

He hopes to wed but isn't in a rush.

"Any girl who can cope with a very busy, traveling foreigner is welcome to contact me," he jokes.

His brand of humor and dealing with people also seeps into his work style.

Since his lieutenants were often tardy, he established a rule in which latecomers to meetings are fined 100 yuan. When he saw this hurt morale, he turned it into a charity pool, making involuntary donors feel better.

This creates what he calls "a virtuous cycle".

Ruiz-Moise is a witness to Zhanjiang's rise as a cosmopolitan city.

He has noticed more foreigners arriving at the airport because of large-scale construction projects. He'd love to show the newcomers around and let them know the charms of this tropical paradise, he says.

As for himself, he has not given up on his dream of traveling around the world on a boat - "maybe later".

Contact the writer at raymondzhou@chinadaily.com.cn