On November 6, the 12th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) Shenzhen Forum was held successfully. Under the theme “Boosting China’s Urban Development with International Intelligence”, the forum focused on how urban development attracts international talents, shaping of urban development and cultural image, and other key issues such as urban development and industrial innovation from a global and humanistic perspective.
Urban Development Requires International Professionals
At present, China’s urban development attracts global attention. A McKinsey survey shows that 30% of the global GDP growth is attributed to the development of Chinese cities, which will lead the urban revolution in the 21st century. As Chinese cities are facing upgrading and transformation, we are confronted with increasing urban issues and are in urgent need of learning advanced development experience from international cities. According to the statistics in the magazine “International Talent”, housing, visa application, education of foreign talents’ children, and medical and health environment have been bottlenecks, preventing international young talents from developing in Chinese cities. Wang Huiyao, Director of the Center for China and Globalization and Vice-chairman of China Western Returned Scholars Association noted that to build a talent city, it is a must to free our mind, break the barrier of talent mobility - green cards, registered permanent residence of talents etc. - and attract foreign students.
Enterprises are one of the engines for urban economic development and employment. Now, enterprises in various Chinese cities are “going global”. One of their biggest bottlenecks is the lack of international professional managers while they are exploiting international markets. Thomas J. Miller, President & CEO of the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) notes that there are a lot of retired talents in the US, who can contribute to projects and strategies. What IESC wants exactly is to provide opportunities for these aged Americans to cooperate with Chinese entrepreneurs, providing services for China.
Shape Urban Development and Cultural Image
China’s urban development has faced a dilemma that many cities look similar. Suzhou stands out from a great many cities, ranking among the top 10 cities attracting talents for 2013 and ranking 3rd on the living environment list, including urban development planning. Zhou Weiqiang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of Suzhou Municipal Government and Executive Vice-mayor noted that as a historic cultural city, Suzhou’s top priority is historic cultural protection, inheritance and promotion; the second priority is to protect the famous historic and cultural city while passing down the modern style in urban planning; and the third priority is to further promote Suzhou culture and shape Suzhou cultural image in policy environment.
It’s undeniable that China’s urban development planning starts late, with shortcomings such as rushing through projects and plans, blindly pursuing magnificence and grandness etc. Renowned foreign designers were invited to be responsible for the design for National Center for the Performing Arts, National Stadium and CCTV Headquarters, which was very controversial. Jeffrey Soule, Policy Director of American Planning Association and Chief Planning Advisor to Jiangsu Provincial and Nanjing Municipal governments believed that the most important point of urban planning and architectural design is open competition, creation and innovation, and the understanding and exploration of urban characteristics, so as to reveal Chinese creativity.
Drive Urban Development and Industrial Innovation with Overseas Investment
According to the data of UK Trade & Investment released on July 19, UK’s economy gained from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the following year, attracting about £ 9.9 billion (equivalent to $ 15.3 billion) of investment, far beyond the cost of hosting the Games. 58% of the investment came from outside UK. This May, Chinese real estate developer Advanced Business Parks (ABP) finalized a £ 1bn investment agreement on building an Asian business hub at Royal Dock in Newham, London, in order to build the “third financial center of London”. It has been one of the biggest investments of Chinese enterprises in UK.
How to attract overseas investment to drive urban development and industrial innovation? Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, member of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Director of six Olympic Boroughs believed that we first need to have something that can attract foreign attention, including best talents, who can facilitate the entire national development and bring new talents. Secondly, we need to focus on infrastructure, which is quite important for either national treatment or national attractiveness to foreign talents. It should be livable as it stands and be able to express the sense of happiness.