On November 9, nineteen foreign experts from countries including France, Portugal, Australia, and Singapore attended the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games at the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center. The guests were invited by the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (Foreign Experts Bureau of Guangzhou).
José Carlos Rebelo da Silva, a Portuguese expert from Guangzhou Laboratory, said the ceremony was the most impressive performance he had ever seen, adding that the joint presentation by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao showcased the unique charm of cultural integration.
Maxime Bernard Engels-Deutsch, Chief Design Strategist at GAC Group from France, captured every moment on his phone and described the event as "absolutely stunning." French scientist Francois Gitzhofer, Chief Scientist at the Institute of New Materials of the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, said the performance was "amazing and full of energy."
MD Abdul Mazid, a Bangladeshi researcher at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, remarked that during his nearly ten years in China, he had witnessed Guangzhou's rapid scientific progress. He said the ceremony vividly reflected modern China's spirit and that choosing to work in Guangzhou was one of his best decisions.
Another expert noted that the opening ceremony highlighted the blend of Chinese culture and technology, echoing the views of many international professionals who find Guangzhou warm and full of opportunity.
In recent years, Guangzhou has rapidly risen as a global innovation hub, climbing from 25th in the Global Ranking of Science Cities in 2018 to 8th in 2023. Its R&D spending surpassed 100 billion yuan in 2024, while the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong innovation cluster topped the global list in 2025.
The city has also introduced a range of measures to attract and serve foreign professionals. Work permit processing time has been shortened to five working days—the fastest among major Chinese cities. Over 4,500 foreign experts have been newly introduced to key industries through refined talent standards and pilot policies.
Through continuous innovation in talent services, from integrated "One-Stop" administrative platforms to tax incentives and fast-track entry for high-end talent, Guangzhou is strengthening its reputation as an open, inclusive, and world-class destination for global science and technology professionals.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Editor | James Campion, Shen He
Photo | Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office
