On December 10, the final event of the 2023 Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City China-Europe Cultural Week unfolded at Lecong Sports Stadium with a football invitational tournament, bringing together teams of both Chinese and international talents to experience the youthful vibrancy of Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City.

Since its opening on December 2, the China-Europe Cultural Week has presented a dazzling array of cultural and sports events, including the China-Europe Market, Music Concert, Talent Cycling, and Football Invitation Tournament, creating a colorful artistic celebration that seamlessly blends Eastern and Western cultures.

As a significant strategic platform vigorously developed by the Foshan Municipal Committee and Government, and a crucial step for Foshan's cooperation with Germany and Europe, Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City leverages culture as a medium and the city as a stage to attract more high-end talents, technologies, and projects. It is committed to continuously building a first-class business environment, transforming Sanlongwan into a "City of Research and Development," "City of Industry," "Talent-Friendly City," and an "International City."

Six Exciting Events of China-Europe Cultural Week Garner Widespread Recognition

The China-Europe Cultural Week has been a resounding success. During the week, a series of events showcasing the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures and embodying the characteristics of Foshan have unfolded in Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City. Many participants and citizens expressed stronger feelings of satisfaction, participation, and excitement.

Particularly noteworthy were the two days of the China-Europe Market held on December 2 and 3, transforming Foshan Park into a joyful ocean. The market not only featured live sales and promotions from 20 well-known European brands and 20 local Foshan businesses but also meticulously curated a European-style retro carnival with the theme of "European Art + Retro Culture." This fusion of European leisure lifestyles with local Foshan culture allowed residents to enjoy an immersive shopping experience and explore European culture right at their doorstep.

Martin Klose, Executive Director Chief Representative of the German Chamber of Commerce in China - South & Southwest, expressed great pleasure in participating in the annual cultural event with 20 international brands, emphasizing the fantastic opportunities these activities provide for cultural exchange and strengthening social connections between China and Germany.

Since 2020, the China-Europe Cultural Week has evolved into a grand-scale, richly themed exhibition and exchange event showcasing European culture and business brands in Foshan and South China. It has received high praise and enthusiastic participation from guests, consuls, and citizens from both China and abroad.

This year's China-Europe Cultural Week continued the brilliance of previous editions, divided into three major chapters: "Exploring Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City," "Cycling in Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City," and "Enjoying Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City." The six major activities, including the China-Europe Market, Music Concert, Sanlongwan Cruise Ball, Singing Contest, Talent Cycling, and Football Invitation Tournament elevated the event to new heights in terms of organization, activity format, performance scale, interactivity, and participation.

The planning and execution of this edition of the China-Europe Cultural Week, in addition to showcasing the high-end innovative and creative resources gathered in Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City to the world, also provided an essential platform for high-level talents working and living in the area to enjoy a relaxed and pleasant international exchange.

Talent is the primary resource, and the construction and development of a city depend on talent. The development of a high-tech innovation hub is closely related to the presence of talents.

As early as 2021, Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City established the Foshan International Talents Hub (Sanlongwan), focusing on serving foreign talents and researchers. It aims to help talents get accustomed to Foshan easily, enjoy a comfortable life, and make significant contributions. The Hub enhances the experience of high-level talents in Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City and contributes to creating an international first-class business environment, using Sanlongwan as a case study for Foshan's internationalization.

A first-rate environment is essential to retain first-rate talents and industries. In terms of transportation, multiple metro lines converge in Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City. In terms of infrastructure, high-end medical institutions such as Foshan Women and Child Health Hospital, Heyu International Hospital, and colleges like South China Normal University and Capital Normal University have gathered here. Referring to the ecological environment, parks like Foshan Park and the Foshan New City Riverside Landscape Park are open to the public. The magnetic attraction of Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City for talent continues to grow.

Next, Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City will continue to optimize the urban functions of key areas, creating a high-quality urban environment suitable for living, working, and leisure. This effort aims to enable both domestic and foreign talents and citizens to share in the achievements of development.

Fostering a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship

Although this year's China-Europe Cultural Week has come to a close, the story of Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City continues to unfold.

As a crucial platform for Foshan to integrate into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a major battlefield for building high-tech innovation, and the region with the highest planning and positioning, the development of Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City is accelerating on the road to high-quality growth.

Currently, Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City boasts one provincial laboratory (Jihua Laboratory), 29 listed companies, 87 provincial engineering and technical research centers, and over 400 high-tech enterprises. Jihua Laboratory, in particular, has built a research team rooted in Foshan, with a total staff of 1,308, accumulating a set of independently controllable core technologies. In 2022, the laboratory's patent application volume ranked among the top in the province.

Since the beginning of this year, the Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City Management Committee has regarded investment attraction as a top priority project. Two major investment attraction working groups have been established to focus on the key industrial layout of Sanlongwan's various areas and towns, conducting chain-oriented investment and targeted investment for key industries, attracting more advanced technologies, high-quality projects, and outstanding talents to gather in Sanlongwan.

Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City aims to create a "City of Research and Development," "City of Industry," "Talent-Friendly City," and "International City." It is committed to building a high-tech innovation hub, fostering a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, and creating a bridge for cooperation between Germany, Europe, and China.

Reporter丨Lynn

Revisor丨Eddie, Rouly

Photo | Foshan News and Media Center