Fuzhou, Fujian Province, welcomed over 1,000 delegates from 37 countries and regions on December 16th for the grand opening of the Second Overseas Chinese Talent Conference for Development (OTD).
Co-hosted by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Fujian Provincial Government, the conference introduced a new initiative to accelerate the commercialization of overseas Chinese talents' innovations. A “On the List” program was launched, inviting Fujian-based enterprises and research institutions to publicly post their technological needs, fostering collaboration and innovation between key industries/sectors and overseas Chinese talents.
Positioned as a platform to connect China with the global talent pool, the three-day conference featured sub-venues in Quanzhou and at Huaqiao University. Shaanxi Province, Dalian City in Liaoning Province, and Peking University were invited as guest institutions.
“Overseas Chinese are not only bridges connecting China with the world but also vital forces driving China’s modernization,” remarked Lu Lin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chairman of the Beijing Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. He called on the global Chinese community to unite and contribute to China’s technological self-reliance.
Chen Jianming, a returned researcher, is currently engaged in marine biology research at Minjiang University. In his view, overseas returnees have linguistic advantages, information advantages, and a broad international perspective. He hoped that the OTD will attract more resources and talents to promote technology commercialization.
Acclaimed as a hub for overseas Chinese, Fuzhou is home to over 4.6 million people of Fuzhou descent and approximately 2 million returned overseas Chinese. With a commitment to fostering a more attractive environment for talent, Fuzhou, the permanent venue for the OTD, aims to leverage the conference to create a thriving ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Established in 2023, the OTD has become a premier platform for exchange of overseas Chinese expertise. The first conference attracted 47 academicians, 102 scientific and technological communities, and over 1,000 delegates, resulting in 22 potential projects with a combined estimated investment of 8.23 billion yuan (US$1.13b).
Building upon the success of the inaugural event, this year’s conference refined its structure and agenda, placing greater emphasis on practical outcomes, industry-academia collaborations, and engagement with the younger generation of overseas Chinese.
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