Foreign experts discuss the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in Nanjing. (PHOTO: Foreign Talent Research Center)

By QI Liming

When mentioned Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu province of southeast China, the historic city leaves people with many reveries and memories, as well as the infinite vitality unleashed by the sci-tech development.

Through participating in some events with foreign experts from all over China, Science and Technology Daily（S&T Daily）felt impression of them on the vivacious city Nanjing.

Seeing is believing

When asked about his first impression of Nanjing after three-days visiting, Nathan Stott from Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, told S&T Daily that, “As an American, although this is my first time visiting in Nanjing, what impressed me most is that it is a highly inclusive city.” The schedule of this Nanjing trip showed that Nanjing is constantly making progress and seeking a better future with the help of science and technology eagerly, Stott said.

As for his second time’s visiting in Nanjing, coming from Syria, Asad Khalil, Professor of Southwest University of Political Science & Law, said that he even wants to settle in Nanjing permanently. “One of the most impressive aspects of my visit was witnessing the collaborative spirit between international and Chinese talents. Nanjing has become a melting pot for experts and innovators from all over the world, and the exchange of ideas and expertise that occurs within Nanjing's borders is a shining example of global cooperation in action,” he said.

The visit to Nanjing offered a glimpse into a city that is not only embracing innovation but actively shaping it. With its international reputation as a hub for innovation, Nanjing is further solidified by its dedication to sustainability, he added.

As an Chinese American, Yang Meijia, chief scientific officer of Jiangsu Cell Tech Medical Research Institute, used a word of Chinese “博爱（universal love）” to describe the city. “Nanjing has demonstrated the development concept of the world for the common good,” said Yang, adding that Nanjing is rich in history and culture, with an indomitable spirit and harmonious coexistence between man and nature. The harmony of patience and resilience of the city's residents rooted in the soul of the city.

Listening is learning

Nanjing is a sci-tech vibrant city that never stops exploring. The sci-tech clusters here are blessed with many universities, research institutions, high-tech parks, and many foreign companies have settled here. When the entrepreneurs who settled in Nanjing made suggestions for the development of Nanjing from their own experiences, they gave advice rationally and without reservation.

Austrian Vitaly Ignatovich, founder and chairman of Jiangsu AgrioCom IoT Co.,Ltd, first commented Nanjing from his own experience that "Nanjing has a good business environment, infrastructure and favorable policies for trade. It is a gathering place for college talents.”

Meanwhile, foreign experts aslo gave some useful suggestions for personnel exchanges and city's development. Ignatovich suggested that it is necessary to establish professional platforms to display information and policies, which not only provide foreigners employment information in China, but also help local entrepreneurs to hire much-needed foreign employees. Stott said, “Making the international colleagues want to stay in China is more important than bringing them in.”

Australian Lloyd Townley, chairman and chief technology officer of Nanjing Zhiyou Technology Development Co., Ltd., started a business in Nanjing in 2019. He proposed to build an open and innovative ecosystem， build trust among partnerships and be willing to share, facilitate each part of business system, make them work in a virtuous cycle through holding various sci-tech competition, etc.

In the eyes of these foreigners, it is essential to learn Chinese history and culture in addition to the country’s language.