The First Hunan Talent Forum kicks off in Changsha on September 19, 2025. Mao Weiming, deputy secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and governor of the People's Government of Hunan Province, met with domestic and international guests attending the forum on the afternoon of September 18. The guests included Richard Penty, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge and fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Chai Liyuan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Tianjin University. The meeting focused on thoroughly implementing President Xi Jinping's important thoughts on advancing talent work in the new era, with the aim of providing robust intellectual support for vigorously writing Hunan's chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.
Also present were provincial leaders Wu Guiying and Cao Zhiqiang, along with provincial government secretary-general Qu Hai.
Governor Mao meets with University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Richard Penty.
Governor Mao Weiming welcomed the guests and briefed them on Hunan's efforts in scientific and technological innovation and talent development. He stated that in recent years, Hunan has been focusing on the blueprint outlined in the "Three Hubs and Four New Missions" Strategy, striving to secure a leading position in industry, technology, talent, and platforms. The province has promoted the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, with the "4+4 Sci-Tech Innovation Project" operating in a substantive manner. Over the past five years, the ten major technological breakthrough projects have cumulatively achieved 186 breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, propelling Hunan's comprehensive regional innovation strength to 9th place nationwide.
Hunan has regarded talent as its most valuable asset and core competitive edge, vigorously implementing the "Hunan Talent" initiative. Over the past two years, the province has attracted more than 1,500 science and technology talents of various sectors. This initiative has become a vital bridge for Hunan to attract talent and enterprises, acquire knowledge and technology, and connect with national and global opportunities, as well as a key driver for high-quality development. Hunan is currently undergoing a promising phase, characterized by dynamic innovation, strengthened comprehensive strength, and prominent leadership. There is an urgent need to attract global intellectual resources on a broader scale and with greater intensity.
Governor Mao expressed his hope that the academicians and experts would continue to care for, thrive in, and deeply engage with Hunan, supporting the construction of high-level innovation platforms, advancing breakthroughs and their commercialization in core technologies in key fields, contributing to building "a strong sci-tech force in Hunan," and assisting in the province's efforts to build the "Three Hubs." He further emphasized that Hunan will persistently optimize the business environment to provide the best possible services for their development in Hunan.
The meeting.
The guests remarked that Hunan possesses a solid industrial foundation, abundant scientific and educational resources, and a thriving innovation ecosystem. They will actively participate in Hunan's challenge-based projects and major science and technology initiatives, actively attracting and bringing more cutting-edge research programs, top-tier tech talent, and industrial projects to Hunan. The experts will help Hunan pioneer new competitive paths, strengthen new growth drivers, and forge new competitive advantages.
Photos taken by Liu Shangwen.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Yu Jiangjiang
Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn
