Chinese living abroad asked to act as link

Community encouraged to play role in pushing country's modernization drive

Overseas Chinese who attended the 11th national congress of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, which concluded in Beijing on Sunday, said that they will play a greater role in linking China with the world and advancing the country's new modernization drive.

Nearly 1,200 representatives of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives from across the country and nearly 600 overseas Chinese from more than 100 countries attended the congress, which opened on Thursday.

Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the State attended the opening of the congress, which is held every five years, and extended their congratulations. A new leadership of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese was elected on Saturday.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, highlighted the active role of overseas Chinese at the opening ceremony.

He called on overseas Chinese,including those who have returned to China, to play a greater role in creating a new pattern of development, promoting high-quality development, forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, promoting national reunification, and jointly shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation.

Lin Chuqin, chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said: "Despite living overseas, we are always connected to China. We are thrilled to see the increasing strength of China and look forward to deeper involvement in its modernization process."

Commenting on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, he said that overseas Chinese are not only participants but also bridges and links between China and their host countries, and they should utilize their unique strengths to inject more innovation and vitality into the project.

Ni Mengxiao, chairman of the Chinese Industrial and Commercial Enterprises Association in Nigeria, said, "We have the opportunity to participate in economic cooperation between countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to the development of the international economy."

In addition, China has provided preferential policies and convenient conditions for overseas Chinese to invest and start businesses in China,promoting the career development of overseas Chinese, he said.

Connecting bridge

Zhou Yanjun, chairman of the Chinese Youth Federation of Europe, said that as the country is facing major challenges and opportunities both domestically and internationally, overseas Chinese should act as a bridge connecting China with the world, spreading Chinese culture, telling stories about China and conveying China's voice.

Qian Zhongyan, vice-chair of the Shanghai Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, who is a member of the team that designed and produced the C919, the first domestically made large jetliner, said, "I am very fortunate to have returned to China 13 years ago to participate in the program."

He said he will make sustained efforts with teammates to achieve greater breakthroughs in key technology research and development, thus making contributions toward the nation's high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement.

Li Yang, a returned overseas Chinese engaged in the chipmaking industry in Guangdong province, said that he was impressed that at the congress, the Party leadership called for overseas Chinese to play a role in the Chinese-style modernization drive.

"I hope to use advanced technology and accumulated experience to contribute to the country," he said, adding that efforts will also be made to attract more outstanding international talent to work in China.