The first “Maritime Silk Road” Overseas Chinese Investment and Trade Conference was held in Quanzhou, East China’s Fujian province on June 15, attracting nearly a thousand attendees from over 30 countries and regions.

At the conference, the city of Quanzhou signed 74 major projects with a total investment 0f over 119.5 billion yuan, covering petrochemicals, equipment production, building materials, home furniture, cultural tourism, commercial distribution, high-end hotels, new energy, new materials, big health, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors.

An important starting point for the ancient Maritime Silk Road and one of renowned hometowns of overseas Chinese, Quanzhou boasts more than 9.5 million expatriates in over 170 countries and regions, the highest number among 25 major hometowns of overseas Chinese in China.

The overseas Chinese of Quanzhou origin are the most valuable asset of the city of Quanzhou, said Zhang Yigong, secretary of the CPC Quanzhou Municipal Committee.

Mr. Zhang hopes that the Quanzhou people at home and abroad should carry forward the spirit of overseas Chinese and work together to build it as a significant gateway city of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

As an important platform for the exchanges and cooperation between overseas Chinese of Quanzhou origin, the conference will further promote the mutual support and benefit between overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, and inject impetus into the development of Quanzhou, said Shao Xujun, vice chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

When I return to my hometown, I was impressed with the hard working and inclusive spirit there, which makes me better understand the entrepreneurial faith that my forefathers hold. I see a modern city that perfectly integrates with history, said Li Sifu, an Indonesia Chinese.

Li said he will actively take part in activities for friendship, youth exchange, and business tour and try his best to carry forward the spirit of overseas Chinese.