by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

NANJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Step into any tea house or coffee shop in the city of Suzhou, and you might find yourself seated next to a young innovator or a world-class scholar. Events like "Scientist Day" and the "Entrepreneurship Week for International Elites" frequently make headlines in this 2,500-year-old city. Talent recruitment advertisements featuring Suzhou's skyline and cultural landmarks adorn streets and subway stations, becoming a hallmark of the city's vibrant urban landscape.

A major city in east China's Jiangsu Province, one of the country's economic powerhouses, Suzhou ranks among the top 10 Chinese cities by GDP. It has earned a reputation as one of the most talent-friendly and internationally appealing cities in China.

Suzhou has long valued talent. Historically, it produced 51 imperial scholars, more than any other city in ancient China. Today, that legacy continues in a new way. Among the city's nearly 13 million permanent residents, over 4.07 million are classified as skilled professionals -- scientists, engineers and other types of experts, meaning one in three residents is classified as talent.

Suzhou's rise as a magnet for global talent is anchored in its commitment to science and technology. With a strong manufacturing foundation, the city has developed dense innovation clusters in fields such as biomedicine, nanotechnology, semiconductors and intelligent connected vehicles. Suzhou also leads all Chinese prefecture-level cities in AI-related R&D investment and is home to more than 2,100 AI enterprises.

In 2024, the city's high-tech industries generated an output value of 2.57 trillion yuan (about 360 billion U.S. dollars). It also topped national rankings with 24,300 national-level small and medium-sized sci-tech enterprises.

Suzhou Sunrise Communications Co., Ltd. is among these small and medium-sized tech enterprises. This company specializes in development and production of automotive parts. Its general manager, Nakayama Ryutaro, returned to Suzhou in 2018 to expand the business and has recently invested in constructing a new factory in the city. He credited Suzhou's financial support and service guarantees for tech companies as crucial factors boosting his confidence in the city.

The Japanese entrepreneur in his 30s also shared that all the home appliances in his household are from Chinese brands, with Hisense, Huawei and DJI being among his favorites. This stands in contrast to a decade ago, when Chinese travelers flocked to Japan to buy electronics.

China's R&D investment rose from 1.4 trillion yuan in 2015 to 3.6 trillion yuan in 2024, with an R&D intensity of 2.68 percent, ranking 12th globally. The country is increasingly evolving from the "world's factory" into the "world's laboratory," attracting a wave of researchers back home.

Cities like Suzhou are key engines in this transformation. According to the Global Innovation Index 2024 by the World Intellectual Property Organization, the "Shanghai -- Suzhou" cluster ranks fifth globally among technology hubs.

This innovation drive inspired 68-year-old Chen Zhiming (Karaki Tomoaki) to return to China after three decades abroad. In June 2023, he became chief scientist at a Suzhou-based tech company, leading the development of advanced single-crystal medical ultrasound transducers.

Chen's journey mirrors that of many Chinese scientists of his generation. In the late 1980s, he left China for a PhD at Kyoto University, later working and settling in Japan. Now, he does not want to miss the opportunity presented by China's rapid development.

The reason he chose to return to Suzhou is not only because of the city's strong atmosphere of innovation and entrepreneurship, but also its convenient geographical location and efficient rail services that enable researchers to easily access top universities and scientific institutions in nearby cities, such as Shanghai, Nanjing and Hefei, for complex experiments.

Suzhou has established partnerships with over 260 domestic and international universities and research institutions, strengthening its status as a global research hub.

But the city's appeal extends beyond science and economy. It is also rooted in its soft strengths.

This June, Chinese-American scientist Tom K. Hei, a tenured professor at Columbia University, joined Soochow University's Suzhou Medical School. He plans to launch pioneering programs in radiation medicine, space medicine, and radioimmunology while helping elevate the university's global profile.

Born in Beijing and long based in the United States, Hei was drawn to Suzhou's slower rhythm. "I feel at home here," he said.

Listening to Kun Opera, wandering through classical gardens and practicing silk embroidery -- each of these Suzhou traditions unfolds at a leisurely pace. They give the ancient city an unhurried grace that has become its edge over the fast-paced metropolises in luring talent.

The city's social stability, public safety and rich cultural heritage create a strong sense of belonging for returning professionals.

Suzhou's openness and inclusiveness are also evident in daily life, especially in Suzhou Industrial Park, the city's most cosmopolitan district. Home to around 11,000 expatriates from 130 countries and regions, the park has pioneered services to support its global residents better.

In neighborhoods with large expatriate populations, street signs are displayed in multiple languages, event posters are printed in both Chinese and English, and special legal workshops are offered to help foreign residents better understand Chinese laws and regulations. Programs like the "Women's Hall" also engage expatriate women in community decision-making.

"They are part of our community and deserve the same services," said Song Aiqing, head of the park's Linglongwan Community.

Gibril Ahmed Lansana, a Sierra Leonean who recently completed his master's in environmental engineering at Suzhou University of Science and Technology, is one such resident. During his two years in Suzhou, he attended weekly Chinese classes at the park's Tianyu Community. He volunteered in his neighborhood, cleaning public spaces, improving language signage and visiting local elder-care homes.

"If I had to choose again," he said, "I would still choose this city."

As Suzhou continues to build a future where innovation, culture and global collaboration thrive, it is not only a home that draws talent but also inspires them to stay. ■