International youths tour a technology company in Wuxi. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Twenty youths from eight countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, arrived in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on Aug 7 for a six‑day innovation camp that blends hands‑on exposure to technology with deep dives into local culture.
The immersion program is designed to forge lasting connections between emerging international talents and Wuxi's fast‑growing industrial ecosystem. The agenda includes high‑level panel discussions on global technology trends and urban development, alongside site visits to research institutes and leading enterprises.
At the centerpiece "Youth and Future Industries" dialogue on Aug 8, participants shared their views on how innovation can translate into tangible social progress. "Innovation only delivers real value when it genuinely connects people, universities, industry and government," said Romanian scholar Daniel Constantin, who hopes his time in Wuxi will open the door to long‑term collaboration between Romania and China.
International youths tour Wuxi. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
French participant Lhouciene Janah believes that innovation must serve human needs. "AI, green energy and biotechnology — these are powerful tools, but they only matter if they improve people's daily lives," he said. "That's a goal the whole world must work toward together".
Beyond the conference rooms, the group toured Wuxi's innovation platforms, flagship companies and research and development centers, getting a first‑hand look at the city's full‑chain industrial capabilities. They also explored the Yixing Ceramics Museum, the Meicun Erhu Industrial Park, the Wuxi Museum and Huishan Ancient Town, soaking up the region's rich cultural heritage.
"Wuxi has many facets, and we want our international guests to see as many of them as possible," said a representative from the city's foreign affairs office. "Through face-to-face exchanges and site visits, we hope they will come to appreciate not only our industrial opportunities but also Wuxi's hospitality and its genuine commitment to talents, and that more of them will choose to stay, build their careers and put down roots here in the city."
Hungarian participant Aliz Geczi makes a presentation during the six‑day innovation camp. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
The youth camp is part of a broader push. Wuxi has pushed forward with consistent expansion of its talent‑attraction efforts, and the results are evident. By August 2025, the city had built a talent pool of 2.3 million, including 192,000 high‑level professionals and 2,104 talent‑led projects.
Earlier this year, the city introduced a 25‑point package aimed at young professionals, offering perks such as up to 90 days of free accommodation for job‑seeking graduates, discounted rentals on 10,000 quality apartments and annual rental subsidies of up to 30,000 yuan ($4,450).
On the jobs front, Wuxi runs two large‑scale job fairs, four high‑end recruitment events, 30 university drives and 300 industry‑specific fairs every year, generating more than 150,000 positions annually.
In the AI sector alone, top‑tier researchers can access project funding of up to 100 million yuan and housing subsidies of 5 million yuan, a clear signal of the city's ambition to compete for global talent.
For the 20 young professionals now in Wuxi, the message is unmistakable: this is not just a city to visit, but a city to build in.
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