More overseas talents return to China for entrepreneurship

A total of 495,000 overseas talents returned to China last year, an increase of 79,400, or 19.1 percent, compared to 2023, according to data released by the Ministry of Education on Thursday in Shanghai, as it hosted the 30th anniversary commemoration of the "Chunhui" platform which supports innovation and entrepreneurship targeting overseas Chinese talents.

From 1978 to 2024, China saw a cumulative total of 8.88 million students leave China to study overseas. Among them, 6.44 million chose to return to the nation for career development after completing their studies, according to the ministry.

The "Chunhui" platform serves as a vital platform for advancing the integrated development of education, talent, science, and technology. During the event, the ministry also unveiled a number of the latest outstanding achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship by overseas Chinese talents. Also, the "Chunhui Initiative" was launched at the event, aiming to build a partner network that offers the talents more efficient and sustainable support.

Wu Yuxin, inheritor of the Chinese bass string instrument gehu, showcased his innovation on this traditional instrument at the event. Returning to China with a master's degree obtained in the United States, the 26-year-old musician has benefited immensely from the platform, through which he got connected to government support and diverse resources.

He led the innovative development and promotion of the Gehu Model 126, which won the prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2025. It revives and modernizes the nearly lost gehu, which faded from use after the 1980s. After returning to the motherland, Wu joined the Shanghai Traditional Musical Instrument No 1 Factory Co Ltd and is actively introducing gehu to a wider global audience as the company's head of R&D reform taskforce.

"As an overseas student, I had never expected such a premier platform to support my passion and entrepreneurship," Wu said. "It made me truly believe that I won't regret the decision to come back, start my own business, and pursue my career."