“I have visited Wenzhou again after 20 years, and the changes are tremendous,” said Margit Molnar, head of the China Desk at the Economics Department of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, adding that the private economy in Wenzhou is very active, and the advantages and experiences accumulated over the years can serve as a profound foundation for future development.”
Margit Molnar had spoken at the third Wenzhou Entrepreneurs Forum themed “Accelerating the Cultivation of New Productive Forces and Chinese-style Modernization” on September 2nd in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.
The forum brought together international strategic academic experts and scholars from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, and other countries at Wenzhou Business College to discuss the new productive forces and Chinese-style modernization, providing suggestions for promoting the high-quality development of China’s private economy.
During the forum, keynote speeches on global situations and Chinese-style modernization were delivered by experts and scholars with an international perspective, including Axel Goethals, president of the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS); Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University; John Ross, former director of London Economics and Business Policy Bureau in the UK; and Larry Backer, professor of Law and International Affairs at Pennsylvania State University.
“In Europe, Wenzhou people can be seen everywhere. They possess an entrepreneurial spirit and can adapt quickly to the local environment,” said Axel Goethals, president of the European Institute for Asian Studies. “The first generation of Wenzhou businesspeople has laid a preliminary business foundation in Europe, which presents a good opportunity for young Wenzhou entrepreneurs to expand new business channels on this basis, establish diversified business exchanges, and better promote exchanges and cooperation in trade, technology and culture between China and Europe.”
Goethals mentioned that Wenzhou entrepreneurs in Europe are experiencing a second “peak”, marked by greater achievements in technological innovation. He looks forward to deeper cooperation between Wenzhou Business College and the European Union, Belgium, including academic cooperation and collaboration between universities, focusing on the relationship between the EU and China as a future direction.
Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, experienced Chinese intangible cultural heritage – lacquer fans with students at the Wenzhou Business College. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges, stating that he has often brought students to China in the past for exchanges, always encouraging them to experience different cultures as much as possible to better understand the world. He encouraged Wenzhou Business College students to pursue exchange programs in the United States and other countries during their studies.
As an important commercial port on the southeast coast of China and a crucial node of the Maritime Silk Road, Wenzhou has deep connections with the Belt and Road Initiative – 836,000 Wenzhou people live and have started businesses in 180 countries and regions, with 380,000 Wenzhou people residing in 57 countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
The Wenzhou Entrepreneurs Forum was jointly organized by Wenzhou Business College and the Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies of Renmin University of China. The event aims to improve the institutional mechanisms for developing new productive forces tailored to local conditions, promote Wenzhou’s comprehensive advancement of deep-level reforms and high-level opening up, and continuously enhance the endogenous driving force and vitality of development.