With the New Year of 2024 around the corner, Shaanxi Province and Xi’an City Fellowship Gala for Foreign Experts was successfully held at the Yisu Theater on the afternoon of December 28, 2023. It was jointly organized by Science and Technology Department of Shaanxi Province (Shaanxi Provincial Department of Foreign Experts Affairs), Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology (Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs), and the People’s Government of Xincheng District, Xi’an. The Reception aimed at further enriching the spiritual and cultural life of foreign experts, integrating them into Xi’an City, and enhancing their sense of belonging.
Deng Xiaodong, Director-General of Xincheng District, extended a warm welcome to foreign experts attending the Reception in his speech. He said that as one of the top five districts in the province in terms of economic and social development, Xincheng District will wholeheartedly provide the most excellent, efficient and convenient services. Xincheng District will work together with foreign experts to create new stories along the long-lasting Silk Road and achieve new brilliance in cooperation and win-win results.
Li Zhijun, Director-General of Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, expressed sincere gratitude for the hard work of foreign experts. He introduced Xi’an from eight aspects, including the latest developments in opening-up, new achievements in economic development, new measures for scientific and technological innovation and targeted measures for service improvement. He emphasized that foreign experts have made important contributions to promoting Xi’an’s innovation-driven development and international scientific and technological cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Bai Chongjun, Deputy Director of Science and Technology Department of Shaanxi Province, conveyed heartfelt wishes to the hardworking foreign experts and their families in Shaanxi. He expressed expectations for their continued deep involvement in Chinese modernization process. He stated that the pilot program for innovation and entrepreneurship permits for foreign talents will continue, and the special policies for attracting overseas high-level talents under a comprehensive national scientific center and a nationally influential science and technology innovation center (as known as The Dual Center) construction in Xi’an and the Qinchuangyuan Innovation-driven Platform will be implemented effectively. The implementation of foreign expert projects will be well carried out, and policies and measures for open and inclusive, mutually beneficial and shared development will be continuously optimized. Efforts will be made to create a better working and living environment for foreign experts and to shape a new open ecology that attracts outstanding talents from both China and overseas to innovate and start businesses in Shaanxi.
Olga Dubkava, a Russian foreign expert from Xi 'an International Studies University and winner of the Sanqin Friendship Award, also shared her wonderful memories of working and living in Xi’an. Working in Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an Xidian University and other units, over 100 foreign experts from more than 20 countries, including the US, Japan, Canada, Kazakhstan and Yemen witnessed the unveiling of the “Foreign Experts’ Book House”.Chinese traditional artists and foreign experts performed a rich and exciting show together, featuring string puppets, face-changing, Qinqiang opera, as well as international-style dance and Western musical instrument performances. The attendees also visited the shadow puppetry exhibition hall at the Yisu Theater and the China Qinqiang Opera Art Museum. Many foreign experts expressed their pleasure in participating in Chinese cultural interactive activities such as paper cutting and clay figurine making. All of them had a deep experience of China’s intangible cultural heritage and art. In a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, they welcomed the arrival of the promising year of 2024.