Members of the Western Returned Scholars Association of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone take a group photo during the launch ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone was launched on Dec 12, becoming the first district-level WRSA in Anhui province.

WRSA, also known as the Overseas-educated Scholars Association, plays an important role in China as a bridge between government and overseas returnees. The WRSA of the zone is expected to help provide a high-level talent pool for local high-quality development.

The association in the zone has 130 members who have studied abroad and now work in the zone, some of whom work at iFlytek, Anke Biotechnology, CIQTEK and the University of Science and Technology of China.

The association will provide various services for its members, connect them through a series of exchange activities, and encourage them to be innovators and entrepreneurs and help them unleash their full potential.

According to local officials, the zone has ranked in the top 10 among 169 national high-tech zones in China in terms of comprehensive strength for seven consecutive years. The zone's robust development is bolstered by talent and the local government plans to further improve the environment for talented personnel.

During the launch ceremony, Zhang Xinfeng, new head of the first council of the association, said that the association will offer its full support to the zone's efforts to attract global talent.

Zhang said that Hefei is an open city and that the zone, which is developing rapidly, has been providing more and more support to overseas returnees like him. His company has enjoyed investment and policy support since it was established in the zone.