July 15 (NBD) -- On June 28, Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub in Tianfu New Area welcomed a delegation of 80 students from Hong Kong University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong.

The delegation was invited to attend the event of "2019 Star of the Future: From Hong Kong to Chengdu" held jointly by Chengdu Municipal People's Government and Hong Kong Future Star Federation of Student. The delegation was left with a great impression during the trip.

Photo/The delegation of university students from Hong Kong

A new hub for youth talent development

Hong Kong has been a primary source of investment for Sichuan as well as an important investment destination for Sichuan-based firms. Sichuan sees the special administrative region as a great partner in promoting its allure. Practical cooperation between the two sides has been conducted in many sectors with fruitful achievements in recent years.

Boosted by agreements concerning strengthening the cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship, along with an intent to jump onto the Belt and Road bandwagon, efforts are being extended to build the Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. The Hub is dedicated to helping young people from China's Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other places around the world start a business in Sichuan, with a special focus on cultural innovation, fin-tech and smart devices.    

The launch of Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub was announced on November 8, 2018 during the Sichuan-Hong Kong-Macau Cooperation Week. Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Peng Qinghua, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, and Fan Ruiping, Member of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee, participated in the ceremony.

Sketch design of Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub 

Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub is located at Chengdu Science City in Tianfu New Area. Estimated to occupy an area of about 10,000 square meters, the incubating hub will be designed by Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim with authentic Hong Kong style. Residential, commercial and recreational areas, office spaces and creative bazaar will be included. Construction of the Hub is scheduled to begin by end of the year and to finish in 2022.

The Sichuan-Hong Kong design creativity industry park that will cover around 100,000 square meters will also be built at Chengdu Science City. It would cooperate with the Hub in talent gathering and industry incubation. A talent cooperation demonstration zone between Chengdu, Hong Kong and Macao thus will be created to promote the development of young talents.

Preferential policies to be formulated to support innovation and entrepreneurship 

With the trend of regional coordinated development, Sichuan and Hong Kong can complement each other well while developing their own strengths as vital participants in the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong is an international financial center and an offshore renminbi business hub. It has established an extensive network in various markets and houses a large number of professionals who are familiar with international regulations. 

At the 2019 Chengdu Talents' Day held on April 27, representatives with Tianfu New Area promoted the "Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub" extending an olive branch to global youth talents.

On June 2, a delegation of Tianfu New Area, together with the Friends of Sichuan Association (Hong Kong) and Sichuan (Hong Kong) Youth Association, held an event to call for an strengthened exchange and cooperation of talents between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

Sketch design of Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub 

At present, Tianfu New Area is working on preferential policies concerning talent awards, housing for talents, initial funds for projects, and rent subsidies, so as to actively promote project incubation and talent exchange and make Chengdu-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub a pioneering hub in terms of providing worry-free services for young people from China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as other places in the world.

In addition, Tianfu New Area will cooperate with a number of universities and youth social organizations such as City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong United Youth Association, and Sichuan-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Community to regularly conduct activities such as youth social networking, entrepreneurial counseling, as well as Chengdu-Hong Kong-Macao innovation and entrepreneur competition. Such measures could facilitate the seamless connection of the project side, talents and investors,  and drive the exchange, innovation and entrepreneurship of youth talents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.  

Chengdu is one of the most attractive Chinese cities in the eyes of foreign talents, according to a survey released by Fortune magazine. The city respects individual's dreams and any kind of innovation and will not fail entrepreneurs. 

 

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn

Editor: Lan Suying