The 2022 Hangzhou International Human Resources Exchange and Cooperation Conference opened in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 12.

At the opening ceremony, experts stressed on the important role that international talents play in driving China's modernization efforts, and lauded the talent cultivation measures taken by Hangzhou city and Zhejiang province.

"They are a crucial force in China's quest to achieving self-reliance in science and technology," said Ding Zhongli, a top geologist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Overseas students are valuable international human resources, and an important group in implementing the strategies aimed at rejuvenating China through science and education, strengthening the country through talent, and developing it through innovation."

The 2022 Hangzhou International Human Resources Exchange and Cooperation Conference opens in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 12. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Over the past two decades, Hangzhou, as well as Zhejiang have been constantly improving their ecosystems talents and provided strong support for the area's high-quality economic and social development, Ding added.

Mohamad Sawan, a fellow at the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the chair professor at the Hangzhou-based Westlake University, said he had anticipated "all kinds of difficulties and challenges" before he came to China, but the policies provided by the local government in areas such as medical care, housing and language services and Hangzhou's "fantastic" living environment have since dispelled his worries.

"It makes a foreigner like me feel like China is home," said Sawan, who received the Friendship Award, which is presented annually by the Chinese government to outstanding foreign experts in the country, earlier this year.

According to a report released by the Ministry of Science and Technology during the conference, Hangzhou is among China's top three most attractive major cities to international talents. On Sept 28, Hangzhou held its first Talent Day to celebrate the contributions made by domestic and international talents to the city's development.

Inaugurated in 2009, the annual Hangzhou International Human Resources Exchange and Cooperation Conference has attracted 5,970 overseas talents from 58 countries (regions) and more than 5,900 projects over the past 13 years. Contracts for nearly 2,000 projects worth over 38 billion yuan ($5.34 billion) have been signed during the conference.

The 14th edition of the conference will feature theme of "Openness, Cooperation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship", and a slew of events, including forums, startup competitions and talent fairs, will be organized in the coming days.