On September 20, 2024, the 2024 Capital Returnee Innovation Season and the 9th China (Beijing) Returnee Investment Forum kicked off at Shougang Park in Beijing. This event is a cornerstone of the Capital Returnee Innovation Season, focusing on the transformation of scientific and technological achievements by returnees, collaborative technological development, international exchanges of science and technology talent, and the establishment of a global innovation ecosystem. Attendees were treated to a showcase of the latest technological advancements and entrepreneurial concepts.

During the forum, Yu Hongjun, the former Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized the critical role of science and technology in national strength competition. He noted that as the global landscape evolves dramatically, China is facing both unprecedented opportunities and challenges while stepping into the global spotlight. He highlighted that self-reliance in science and technology is central to national competitiveness and is vital for a nation’s stature among global powers. Yu expressed his hope that returnee innovators would drive the development of new productive forces through their creativity and innovation, thus helping to build a strong technological nation.

Meng Fanxing, member and vice-chairman of the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, shared that in recent years, the association has been proactive in promoting national bases for overseas talent innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as international science and technology talent zones. He mentioned that many significant international organizations have established themselves in Beijing, providing support to the city’s scientific workforce, with returnees displaying remarkable energy and vitality in national science and technology governance.

Sun Zhao-hua, Vice Chairman of the China Scholarship Council, spoke about the vital role of overseas-educated individuals in the current wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation. He emphasized that talent is the primary driver of productivity, a crucial resource, and essential for innovation, playing a leading role in China’s modernization efforts.

Fan Xiufang, Secretary of the Party Branch at the Talent Exchange and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, underscored the importance of the Returnee Investment Forum as a key platform for overseas Chinese students. The forum aims to transform returnee technological innovations, foster local international collaborations, facilitate talent exchanges, and build a global innovation ecosystem. It addresses the latest demands for innovation and entrepreneurship, providing valuable opportunities for returnee talents to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Guan Shuai, President of the Beijing Returnee Association for Science and Technology, remarked that this event is designed to create an integrated platform for showcasing, exchanging, and collaborating on technological innovations. It aims to highlight the innovative capabilities and achievements of returnee scientists in the capital, thereby helping returnee tech workers to better understand the opportunities and potential of China’s developmental landscape.

Academician Li Yongfang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences shared insights on innovations in photovoltaic materials. At the forum, the “Seagull Action” initiative was launched, aimed at establishing a collaborative network for returnees across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta regions. This initiative is committed to enhancing the ecosystem for returnees and has invited 12 member organizations, including the China Association for Science and Technology in the U.S. and the China-France High-Level Talent Exchange Association, to join the ninth cohort of the returnee ecosystem. This collaborative effort seeks to improve services that support the entrepreneurial ventures of returnees and foster innovation.

Now in its ninth session, the Returnee Investment Forum has become an essential element of the China Scholarship Council’s strategy to implement national talent policies and support the healthy career development of overseas students, particularly in innovation and entrepreneurship. This year’s forum was co-hosted by the China Scholarship Council, the Beijing Returnee Association for Science and Technology, and the Talent Exchange and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.