On May 19, the 2026 China Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week opened in Changsha. A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, attended and delivered speeches. Before the opening ceremony, guest representatives visited relevant exhibition areas on innovation and entrepreneurship.

On May 19, the 2026 China Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week opened in Changsha.

First Secretary A Dong stated that young people should diligently study, deeply comprehend, and faithfully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's important reply letter to representatives of awardees of the China Youth May Fourth Medal and New Era Youth Pioneer Awards, strengthen their ideals and convictions, keep a firm grip on the course of youth, closely link their youthful ideals, innovation and entrepreneurship, and aspiration for success with the destiny of the motherland, and forage ahead courageously as their youthful steps advance in the torrent of the times. He added that young people should maintain youthful vigor, commit to innovation and creation, actively participate in science, technology and innovation competitions such as "Chuang Qing Chun" and "Challenge Cup," and engage in the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. They should bravely shoulder the responsibilities of the times, promote employment through entrepreneurship, and strive to ensure that entrepreneurship aligns with innovation, focuses on industries, and unlocks new potential for consumption. The CYLC must implement the strategic deployments of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), collaborate closely with local authorities and relevant departments, actively gather resources such as policies, funds, technology, and talent, and strive to be a confidant, warm-hearted supporter, and guide for youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

Attending leaders and guest representatives jointly launched the 13th China Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, also the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week.

On behalf of the provincial Party committee and the provincial government, Secretary Shen extended a warm welcome to attendees and young people. He said that the provincial Party committee and the provincial government consider supporting college student entrepreneurship as a long-term strategic initiative. Over the past year, college student innovation and entrepreneurship have become a prevailing trend in Hunan, making the province a dream destination of innovation and entrepreneurship for college students. Currently, Hunan is comprehensively building itself into a youth-friendly province, vigorously implementing four key actions to be employment-friendly, entrepreneurship-friendly, living-friendly, and growth-friendly. Hunan will continue to safeguard and support college student innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on the bottlenecks and difficulties faced throughout the entire process of student entrepreneurship, further refining and optimizing various services, rolling out a series of practical policy measures, and attracting more college students from across the country and even the globe to start businesses in Hunan.

At the opening ceremony, the achievements of Hunan's support for college student entrepreneurship were announced. Zheng Hairong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Chinese Association of Youth Scientists and Technologists, delivered a speech. Li Zexiang, professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and chairman of the Xiangjiang Institute for Scientific and Technological Innovation, gave a keynote speech. Provincial leaders Wu Guiying, Guo Lingji, Jiang Difei, and Yu Hongsheng, as well as An Shi, secretary of the CPC Central South University Committee, attended.

This event includes six main activities and several supporting events, focusing on the practical needs of youth innovation and entrepreneurship to build platforms for exchange, display, resource matchmaking, and achievement commercialization, promoting the aggregation of various innovation and entrepreneurship resources in Hunan.

Secretary Shen also met with entrepreneur representatives from the United States in Changsha on the same day.

Photos taken by Tang Jun

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn