Foreign experts attend a symposium at the Chengdu Comprehensive Service Center for Talents in Chengdu, Sept. 6, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the organizers]

Foreign experts gathered in Chengdu on Sept. 6 to discuss strategies for attracting international talent, praising the city's potential as a technological hub while offering suggestions to enhance its global appeal.

The symposium was organized by the Foreign Talent Research Center of China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and sponsored by the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology.

Stelmakh Oleksandr, a professor at the School of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering of Beijing Institute of Technology, emphasized the importance of international cooperation for Chengdu to achieve its goal of becoming a major technological innovation center by 2035. He suggested inviting experienced researchers and entrepreneurs to innovate and start businesses in Chengdu, while also promoting the construction of technical schools to cultivate local high-tech talent. 

Katsumi Tanigaki, a quantum physicist who came to China in 2020, praised Chengdu's rich culture and modern development. He noted the city's potential to become a hub for high-energy physics research. Drawing from his experience at the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, which was established in 2017 and jointly built by China and Japan, Tanigaki emphasized the importance of policy support and excellent infrastructure in attracting overseas returnees and foreign experts. He believes these factors are crucial for stimulating creativity and innovation.

Marie-Luce Chevalier, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences who has lived in China for 14 years, offered suggestions to attract foreign experts to Chengdu. Based on her experience, Chevalier recommended providing Chinese language courses, competitive salaries, improved medical insurance, assistance with children's school enrollment, and streamlined visa policies.

Chevalier praised the "Home in Chengdu Living Guide" provided at the meeting. "This is exactly what every city needs to attract foreigners," she said. The guide includes practical information, such as how to open a bank account.

The "Home in Chengdu Living Guide" distributed at a foreign experts symposium in Chengdu, Sept. 6, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the organizers]

Steven H. Back, the representative in China for the Hungarian National Museum, emphasized the importance of science and technology cooperation. He recommended that the city organize more international exchange forums and strengthen cultural exchanges. Back also stressed the importance of publicity, suggesting that Chengdu share success stories of foreign experts already working in Chengdu to attract more international talent.

In his concluding speech, Tang Fuqiang, director of the Foreign Talent Research Center at China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, highlighted the center's ongoing support for Chengdu's efforts to attract international talent. 

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