The "Spark Your Dreams, Shape Our Future" Asia-Pacific Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Dialogue was held in Nansha, Guangzhou, on September 20.
The event brought together about 200 representatives from various sectors, including officials from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and, provincial, municipal and Nansha district governments, consular officials from Asia-Pacific countries based in Guangzhou, representatives from universities, research institutions and enterprises, as well as international students and young entrepreneurs.
Shen Xin, Vice President of the CPAFFC, said in his speech that Guangzhou boasts an exceptional business environment where innovative ideas can readily connect with talent, technology and capital. With robust industrial chains and open platforms such as the Canton Fair, ideas can be effectively transformed into market-ready products and global solutions.
He expressed hope that young entrepreneurs from the Asia-Pacific region would turn the insights gained from the trip into momentum for continued exchanges and deeper cooperation. He encouraged them to maintain close ties with Guangzhou's enterprises, industrial parks and young counterparts to pursue deep integration in technology R&D, commercialization of research achievements, industrial collaboration and market expansion.
Ma Wenfeng, President of the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said exchanges and cooperation among young people in the Asia-Pacific foster not only intellectual synergy but also networks for innovation.
Looking ahead, the association will join hands with all parties to focus on youth innovation and entrepreneurship, build platforms for dialogue and practical action, steadily advance talent cultivation, and promote the cross-border flow of innovation resources .
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Asia-Pacific Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership Program. As an international, open and non-profit multilateral youth cooperation mechanism, the program was jointly initiated by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and relevant universities and institutions across the Asia-Pacific region. It currently has 27 partner organizations.
Drawing on the geographical advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the innovation strengths of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao cluster, the initiative connects a broad range of resources from universities, research institutes, enterprises and investment institutions across the region.
Focusing on youth talent cultivation, joint development of cooperation platforms, startup incubation and the cross-border translation of innovative achievements, the program aims to cultivate globally minded young innovators and support the high-quality, sustainable economic development of the Asia-Pacific region.
The event also featured thematic sharing sessions by universities from APEC economies and a roundtable dialogue for young entrepreneurs.
Rony J. Palathinkal, moderator of the youth entrepreneur dialogue and Director of the Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE), Singapore Management University (SMU), shared his firsthand impressions of Nansha.
He expressed pleasant surprise at the city's greenery, vibrancy and the dynamic ecosystem shaped by international entrepreneurs establishing businesses there. Describing Nansha as a "hidden gem" and a phenomenal location with proximity to vibrant hubs such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong, he strongly encouraged global entrepreneurs to consider opportunities in Nansha over the next five to 10 years.
Regarding the newly launched partnership program, Palathinkal drew on his background as a former entrepreneur and remarked that evaluating a region requires looking beyond immediate research and funding. He praised the initiative for taking into account long-term strategic elements essential to building a sustainable business ecosystem for the next decade and beyond.
Xie Canwu, an event participant and executive committee member of the Thai-Chinese New Generation Business Association, also shared his insights. He noted that the event provided a platform for communication and learning, bringing together young entrepreneurs from across the Asia-Pacific and creating favorable conditions for them to better understand the Chinese market.
He added that such initiatives provide a crucial bridge for overseas Chinese-funded businesses operating in Thailand, enabling domestic enterprises to expand overseas while helping international businesses gain deeper insights into China's policies, regulations and investment environments within the GBA.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Guo Chuhua
