Changchun authorities issue warm invitation to global entrepreneurs

A frontier of reform and opening-up, and a strategic engine of China's development of the Northeast region, Changchun New Area recently wrote a letter to innovative global entrepreneurs to invite them to work in the zone.

The new area released seven new preferential policies for foreign personnel, providing a solid guarantee for global professionals' startups in China.

"We would appreciate you joining us as long as you have expertise in a specific field. We will also open our arms to overseas Chinese and set up a special permanent residence process to relieve homesickness," said the invitation letter.

"We will provide a venture visa and work permit in our endeavor to build a better Changchun New Area for China," it said.

The State Council approved Changchun New Area, the 17th national-level new area, in February 2016. The area has promoted reforms and innovation, making significant progress. The area's total output value is expected to reach 86.5 billion yuan ($13.07 billion) this year, an increase of 8.6 percent on 2016. Investment in fixed assets is expected to reach 81.8 billion yuan, a rise of 23 percent year-on-year. A total of 445 projects with foreign investment have started construction in Changchun New Area.

Inspired by the Belt and Road Initiative, Changchun New Area plans to build itself into an international air and land hub to enhance its international service functions. The first freight train leaving for Europe from the area in October marked the operation of Changchun International Port.

In addition, the new area is home to a cluster of universities and scientific research institutions, such as Jilin University, Northeast Normal University and Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Changdongbei scientific innovation center, a zone in Changchun New Area with a wide range of scientific and innovative functions, has attracted 62 high-level research and development projects.