Building an International Talent Hub Where Residents Feel Happy, Visitors Are Drawn to Come — Xiamen Holds Spring Festival Event for Foreign Experts

People's Daily Online, Xiamen, January 30 (Reporter Zhang Meng) — With the Spring Festival approaching and the festive atmosphere thickening, a distinctive Southern Fujian-style "Welcoming the Spring Festival, Sharing Future Aspirations" event for foreign experts was warmly held at the Xiamen Huihe Stone Culture Park on January 30. Over 30 foreign experts and their family members from more than ten countries gathered together. Through immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences and in-depth exchanges, they jointly welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year, experiencing Xiamen's open and inclusive urban warmth and the unique charm of Chinese culture.

At the event, the foreign experts enthusiastically participated in various traditional Southern Fujian New Year customs. They carefully carved dots at the "Embroidery on Stone" shadow carving station, printed lively blessings during the ink-scented zodiac rubbing activity, and picked up brushes in the calligraphy area to write auspicious Chinese characters like "春" (Spring) and "福" (Fortune)... Furthermore, the guests visited the Southern Fujian Stone Carving Museum, enjoyed the immersive performance Whispers of Stone, Melody of Tea and the wonderful Palm Puppet Show. Through the stories told by stone and the art at their fingertips, they gained a deeper appreciation of the historical context of the Maritime Silk Road and the profound heritage of Southern Fujian culture.

"Here is not only fertile ground for research, but it also gives me the warmth of home. The piano melodies on Gulangyu and the lights in the laboratory together compose the poetry of my life," said one expert. "The children at our school come from over twenty countries and regions. While coming to China to gain knowledge, they have also become young ambassadors spreading Chinese culture," shared another. During the event, several experts, drawing from their personal experiences of working and living in Xiamen, shared stories about the sense of fulfillment and belonging brought by the city's research environment, living amenities, and cultural inclusiveness. Their sincere sharing resonated with the audience, reflecting the "mutual attraction" between Xiamen and international talent.

This Spring Festival event was not only a heartwarming feast of cultural integration but also a vivid snapshot of Xiamen's efforts to build an international talent hub where "residents feel happy, visitors are drawn to come." The reporter learned that in recent years, Xiamen has consistently upgraded service and safeguard measures for foreign talent. From establishing "green channels" for the recognition of international professional qualifications to optimizing full-chain services for entry-exit, residence, and healthcare, building diverse platforms for exchange and cooperation, and introducing targeted innovation and entrepreneurship support policies, the city provides comprehensive and meticulous service guarantees for international talent.

"This event serves as a platform for foreign talent in Xiamen to approach Southern Fujian culture and celebrate the Chinese New Year together. It is also an opportunity to extend Spring Festival greetings to the foreign experts contributing their wisdom to Xiamen's development..." said a relevant official from the Xiamen Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. Looking ahead, the city will continue to demonstrate the utmost sincerity and provide optimal services, constantly improving the policy system for international talent and fostering a more attractive environment for talents. The aim is to enable more international talents to pursue their dreams with peace of mind, live comfortably, and achieve success in Xiamen.

Source: People's Daily Online (People.cn)