On September 23, the 12th Global Forum for Hunan Entrepreneurs opened in Hengyang. Representatives of Hunan entrepreneurs from around the world, academicians and experts, and representatives of chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs gathered in Hengyang, the "Wild Goose City," to renew hometown ties, discuss cooperation, and seek development. Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, attended the opening ceremony and presented plaques to representatives of the 2024-2025 landmark projects of the "Welcoming Fellow Townsmen to Return to Hometowns and Build Hometowns" campaign. Mao Weiming, deputy secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and governor of Hunan Province, and Wang Hongyan, member of the CPC Leadership Group and vice chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), delivered speeches. Before the opening ceremony, Secretary Shen and Governor Mao met with some guest representatives attending the forum.

On September 22, Secretary Shen and Governor Mao met in Hengyang with guest representatives attending the 12th Global Forum for Hunan Entrepreneurs.

Secretary Shen, on behalf of the provincial Party committee and the provincial Government, welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude for their long-standing care and support for Hunan's development. He said that there are now more than four million Hunan entrepreneurs worldwide, spread across more than 180 countries and regions, making them one of the top ten merchant groups in China. Since the provincial Party committee and the provincial government promoted the return of Hunan entrepreneurs, the vast number of Hunan entrepreneurs have made important contributions to Hunan's economic and social development. Practice has fully proven that Hunan entrepreneurs are a precious asset for Hunan's progress and an irreplaceable important force in advancing the province's high-quality development. Secretary Shen expressed his hope that Hunan entrepreneurs will actively participate in Hunan's development and provide valuable opinions and suggestions on the work of attracting Hunan entrepreneurs back. Hunan will continue to create better conditions for entrepreneurs to thrive in the province, and work together with everyone to contribute to Hunan's development. We should live up to President Xi Jinping's earnest expectations for Hunan and the support and affection Hunan entrepreneurs have shown for the province, he added.

On September 23, Secretary Shen, Governor Mao, and other provincial leaders presented plaques to representatives of landmark projects at the opening ceremony.

"Wild geese fly over a thousand mountains yet return to their nests; Hunan entrepreneurs travel the world yet always long for Hunan." In his speech, Governor Mao called on Hunan entrepreneurs to thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping's important expositions on the development of the private economy, continue the legend of Hunan entrepreneurs, and open a new chapter of cooperation. He noted that Hunan entrepreneurs bear passion for investment and business development, courage for innovation, hometown affection for making connections, and deep feelings for giving back to their native land. They have surged back to invest in and revitalize Hunan in recent years. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period (2021-2025), returned Hunan entrepreneurs registered 6,510 new enterprises, with investment exceeding one trillion yuan. Standing at a new starting point, faced with the superimposed empowerment of national strategies, the surging momentum of scientific and industrial integration, the strong potential of internal and external connectivity, and the supporting effectiveness of a favorable environment, it is the right time for Hunan entrepreneurs to invest and develop in Hunan. Governor Mao sincerely invited everyone to become participants in investing in Hunan, pioneers in innovating Hunan, bridge-builders for Hunan's opening up, and spokespersons for Hunan's advancement, working together for win-win development with Hunan. He added that the provincial Party Committee and the provincial government will offer first-class services to "welcome, assist, and reassure Hunan entrepreneurs," creating favorable conditions for the return of Hunan entrepreneurs.

ACFIC Vice Chairperson Wang pointed out that this forum is held in the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" period (2026-2030), a crucial year for getting off to a good start. It is of great significance for rallying the strength of global Hunan entrepreneurs and supporting Hunan's high-quality development. Hunan entrepreneurs should keep in mind President Xi Jinping's earnest instructions, carry forward fine traditions, and bravely shoulder major responsibilities in advancing Chinese modernization. They should aim high and maintain focus, building confidence through a clear understanding of the broader trends; dare to be the first and strive for growth through innovation, pioneering in boosting new quality productive forces; sharpen internal capabilities and operate in accordance with the law, ensuring steady and lasting progress in improving corporate governance; and, balance righteousness and benefit while staying attached to their hometowns, showing responsibility in giving back to society. ACFIC will fully play its role as a bridge, link, and assistant, build a "home for private entrepreneurs," continue to pay attention to the growth of Hunan entrepreneurs and serve their development as always, and gather stronger private enterprise strength for Hunan to realize the beautiful blueprint of the "Three Hubs and Four New Missions" Strategy.

Also present were provincial leaders Sui Zhongcheng, Wang Daoxi, Wang Junshou, Wu Guiying, and Zhan Jian. Five entrepreneur representatives made speeches.

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

Translator: Yu Jiangjiang

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn