High-level conference broadens Zhuhai's talent pool

Zhuhai added to the city's pool of 500,000 high-quality talents and their projects as high-level exchanges were conducted at the 17th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) April 14 and 15 in Shenzhen.

At the same time, a parallel session – the first ever at any other city – took place at the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen. The city's economic development, sci-tech innovative, talents, research institutions, policies, and other achievements were showcased. Static and dynamic presentations further enhanced the event.

17th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals in Shenzhen [Photo courtesy WeChat: CIEP2001]

In Shenzhen, a business reception titled Appointment With Zhuhai introduced the city's favorable talent and industrial environment, superior geographical condition, and strong policy support. Contestants at Sino-American and Sino-Italian innovative and entrepreneurial competitions gave their projects global exposure. Startup teams from other parts of the world also participated.

Emerging as a hub for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai is becoming a core city on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary and a high-quality development model on the coastal economic belt. The dynamic special economic zone supports talents who are attracted in various sectors.

Last April, for instance, the Zhuhai Talent Program was issued a government grant of 6.7 billion yuan ($999 million) -- the most generous policy package in city history.

The half-million talents in Zhuhai include 25 academicians at seven workstations. More than 200 experts are listed on national and provincial important talent lists, the most in Guangdong prefecture-level cities.

The selection program has produced 416 high-caliber talents, 1,044 young outstanding talents, and 45 innovative and entrepreneurial teams. More than 8,000 returned overseas scholars, over 4,000 doctoral and 19,000 postgraduate talents have also been recruited.

The conference was founded by the former State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in 2001 with approval of the State Council and has been held in Shenzhen since 2007. It is the only comprehensive event of the largest scale and highest level in China for exchanges among foreign (overseas) expert organizations, training institutions, and professionals.