Recently, the 2024 Wenzhou International Talent Exchange and Friendship Conference, along with the launching ceremony of the “I Support International Districts” activity series, was hosted at the Wenzhou Human Resources Service Industrial Park, where over 60 international talents gathered to discuss enhancing “Wenzhou, the World City” through international districts.

Reflecting on the year of 2024, Wenzhou City, under the “Strong City Action” initiative, has enhanced its strengths and capabilities. In the cultural sector, the Shuomen Ancient Port Site has been recognized as a national Top 10 Archaeological Discovery and as one of the national Top 10 Cases of High-quality Development of Cultural Relics. The construction of the archaeological site park has been accelerated to support the Maritime Silk Road's bid for World Heritage status. In sports, Wenzhou has held several significant events, including the 2024 Football Association Cup final, and proudly watched its athletes excel at the Paris Olympics, substantially elevating the city’s international reputation. In the realm of science, education, and innovation, the World Young Scientist Summit has been held for six consecutive years, injecting new momentum into technological innovation. In terms of international exchanges, Wenzhou has organized the Maritime Silk Road Conference for two consecutive years, further cementing its image as a “World Maritime Silk Road City.”

“These achievements, particularly in science and education, are closely linked to the active participation and strong support of international talents in Wenzhou,” stated Lou Lefan, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office. “Currently, to elevate the city's level of internationalization, we are actively planning and advancing the development of international districts to offer a more convenient and comfortable working and living environment for foreign experts and international friends.”

Foreign friends living in Wenzhou are full of expectations. Samuel Gan, known as  Yan Qingying, a professor from Singapore, who is now working at the Department of Biological Sciences in Wenzhou-Kean University, highlighted the importance of handling entry and exit affairs and suggested setting up more nearby service stations. Gabriella Bonino, or Tang Yun, an Italian sinologist, hopes to further protect the ancient buildings in this old city, suggesting the addition of Chinese and English signs and introductions to help more international friends understand and fall in love with Wenzhou.

Maurizio Vrenna, known by his Chinese name Mao Li, from Turin, Italy, expressed his deep emotion noting that this year marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death. Over 700 years ago, The masterpiece The Travels of Marco Polo opened the mysterious door to the East for Europe. Today, Wenzhou natives around the world, much like Marco Polo of the past, courageously leave their homeland, step out of their comfort zones, and return with knowledge and experiences to contribute back to their roots. “Wenzhou and my hometown, Turin, are sister cities with a deep friendship and a strong foundation for cooperation. I eagerly anticipate further strengthening our cooperation and exchanges in the future,” said Mao Li.

The event, co-hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government, Wenzhou Public Diplomacy Association, and South Zhejiang Talent Development Group, also featured the unveiling ceremony of the “International Talent Exchange and Cooperation Center at the Zhejiang Wenzhou Human Resources Service Industrial Park” and the “Juying International Exchange Center”.