On November 4th, the “One Million Talents, Wisdom in Guangzhou” initiative officially kicked off with the “100 Overseas Chinese Ph.D. Scholars Guangzhou Tour,” hosted by the Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Federation.

The event brought together 100 overseas Chinese Ph.D. scholars from top universities around the world, including Harvard and Oxford. In the days leading up to the 15th National Games of China, the scholars participated in a series of in-depth exchanges designed to promote the Games, explore new opportunities, and discuss the future of innovation.

The scholars, who specialize in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new materials, and intelligent manufacturing, are well-aligned with Guangzhou’s focus on advancing new productive forces. Their expertise is expected to contribute significantly to the city’s efforts to drive scientific and technological innovation, as well as to support industrial upgrades in both Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area.

During the event, the scholars had the chance to experience the unique cultural and ecological charm of Guangzhou. At Yunxi Botanical Garden, located at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, they explored the city’s rich history as the “Flower City.” On a night cruise along the Pearl River aboard the “National Games Ship,” they took in the vibrant scenery and witnessed firsthand the dynamic transformation of Guangzhou from an “old city” to one full of “new vitality.” The scholars also visited the 32nd Guangzhou Garden Expo and attended various events at the National Games, immersing themselves in the city’s green and sustainable environment as well as the excitement surrounding the Games.

The highlight of the event will be the “One Million Talents, Wisdom in Guangzhou” speech and networking session, set to take place on November 7th at the Yuexiu International Conference Center. Several overseas Chinese Ph.D. scholars will share their insights on scientific research, entrepreneurship, and personal development, shedding light on Guangzhou’s growing role as the core hub of the Greater Bay Area and an international, talent-friendly city. A key feature of the event will be the launch of the “Overseas Chinese Ph.D. Express,” a one-stop service aimed at helping international Ph.D. holders with innovation, entrepreneurship, and settling in Guangzhou. The service will streamline the connection between policies and resources, ensuring that talents can confidently pursue their dreams and thrive in the city.

To facilitate better alignment between talent and industry, the event has introduced a pairing system. The “Guangzhou Close Friends Group,” made up of prominent local representatives, will partner with the “Guangzhou Intellectual Friends Group,” a team of overseas Ph.D. scholars. The groups will embark on field visits to 11 districts across the city, promoting collaboration and helping scholars discover potential industry and investment opportunities in Guangzhou.

Guangzhou’s commitment to attracting global talent is clear: the city aims to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem that will drive both local and international growth. As the city continues to evolve as a global center of commerce, technology, and opportunity, it extends an open invitation to the world’s brightest minds to come to Guangzhou, realize their dreams, and contribute to a prosperous future for all.