The 2021 Conference on Overseas Chinese Pioneering and Developing in China is held at OVC. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The 2021 Conference on Overseas Chinese Pioneering and Developing in China (COCPDC) opened at East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) in the city of Wuhan on Nov 16.

This is the 21st time the conference has been held in Wuhan since it was held for the first time back in 2001. The event serves as a milestone for the systematic introduction of overseas Chinese intellectuals.

This year's COCPDC is being held both online and offline and features 12 special activities, including an opening ceremony, forums, and key project-signing ceremonies. It is also promoting the talent recruitment policy of the East Lake Science City released by OVC's government. Overseas personnel being recognized as high-level talent at the conference will benefit from various policies in Optics Valley of China.

Projects to be signed mainly involve energy conservation, bio-medicine, new energy, and advanced manufacturing, and the number of special sessions for different regions has been increased from eight to 12.

Overseas Chinese talent groups from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore are also invited to interact with audiences at the conference.

To date, OVC has been home to more than 7,000 overseas talent teams from over 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, Israel, and France. People aged 22 to 44 account for 51.4 percent of the valley’s total population, which is 13 percent higher than Silicon Valley's figure.