On the morning of September 16, the Provincial Government Information Office held a press conference in Changsha to announce that the 12th Global Hunan Business Conference will be held in Hengyang from September 22 to 24. Hu Jianxin, Deputy Director of the Provincial United Front Work Department and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Liu Zhongjie, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, attended the event.

Hu Jianxin explained that the Global Forum for Hunan Entrepreneurs is a platform-based event designed to welcome compatriots, encourage them to return to their hometowns, contribute to their hometowns, and foster shared development. Since the inaugural forum in 2007, 11 sessions have been held, facilitating more than 2,000 investment and cooperation projects, with a total investment of 1.14 trillion yuan. It has played a significant role in strengthening Hunan’s real economy, transforming and upgrading its manufacturing sector, fostering emerging industries, strengthening and filling gaps in industrial chains, and building a modern industrial system.

Liu Zhongjie answered reporters’ questions regarding the forum’s role in promoting Hengyang’s economic and social development, as well as the main preparatory work carried out by the Hengyang Municipal People’s Government. He extended an invitation to Hunan businesspeople worldwide, urging them to “If you’re free this weekend, come visit Hengyang” and “Invest in Hengyang to create new glory.” He noted that the conference’s contribution to Hengyang’s economic and social development can be summarized in three aspects: “industry, city, and people.” Regarding “industry,” Hengyang adheres to the development strategy of “building the city on manufacturing and revitalizing it through culture and tourism.” By leveraging the return of Hunan businesspeople, the city attracts them to invest and establish businesses in Hengyang, drives the extension, supplementation, and strengthening of industrial chains, and promotes the local commercialization of scientific and technological innovations. This injects strong momentum into accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system with Hengyang’s distinctive characteristics, characterized by “stabilizing five sectors, advancing three, and establishing two.” Regarding “City,” Hengyang adheres to the principle of “hosting one conference to revitalize a city,” using the event as an opportunity to advance a series of infrastructure and urban road projects, improve urban functions, enhance the living environment, and continuously boost the city’s carrying capacity; regarding “People,” the conference fully showcases Hengyang’s image of development, which will greatly enhance citizens’ sense of pride and fulfillment, inspiring everyone to strive to be pioneers in building a sub-provincial central city.

This year’s conference is hosted by the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the People’s Government of Hunan Province, organized by the Hunan Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce, and the Hengyang Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, and co-organized by the Hunan Xiangshang Federation. The conference’s theme is “‘Xiang’ Building a Stronghold, ‘Shang’ Opening a New Chapter.”

The conference will feature a main event and seven parallel sessions, as well as organized project matchmaking and on-site visits. It will simultaneously facilitate online participation by Hunanese chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs from outside the province and abroad, with sub-venues established in key regions to enable global Hunanese businesspeople to connect virtually and join the festivities. Additionally, each prefecture-level city and autonomous prefecture will set up dedicated investment promotion consultation desks and negotiation rooms at the main venue to facilitate real-time exchanges and discussions between government officials and business representatives.

The parallel sessions include: the General Assembly of the Hunan Business Association and the Hunan Business Return Promotion Conference; a symposium for overseas business associations and multinational corporations; a seminar on the intelligent robotics industry; an investment promotion conference for the intelligent weighing and metrology industry; a conference on the development of global young Hunan businesspeople and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship among college students; and an exchange meeting on women entrepreneurs supporting Hunan’s high-quality development. Each session will focus on specific industrial sectors and target key groups of Hunan business people, establishing a practical platform for government-business dialogue, industrial collaboration, and resource sharing.

Liu Delin, Director of the Provincial Government’s Port Office, and municipal leader Zhou Yumei attended the event.