CRI听力:Overseas Talent Entrepreneurship Conference to attract foreign entrepreneurs

The sixth Overseas Talent Entrepreneurship Conference (OTEC) is now underway in Beijing.

One of its events this week includes a gathering seeing hundreds of overseas entrepreneurs who either have started, or are hoping to start, their own businesses in the Chinese capital.

The gathering this year is held in Chaoyang District, which encompasses a major part of the east of Beijing, also home to numerous high-end companies.

More than 200 participants from 50 different countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Singapore and Israel, are sharing their experiences in starting up their businesses.

Wang Qian, who's in charge of a Chinese branch of an Israeli high-tech firm, says her firm believes China provides a sound business environment for foreign startups.

"China has a good atmosphere for foreigners hoping to start businesses, especially those from countries strong in the high-tech sector. It's easy for them to find a place in China to start their businesses and launch their projects, meaning there is a lot of room for cooperation. The business environment in China is especially suitable for startups with innovative projects," says Wang.

Authorities in Chaoyang District launched their "Phoenix Plan" in 2009, a grant program to support overseas talent who want to start businesses in Beijing.

Last year, the district also began building community in the Wangjing Sub-district designed specifically for foreign professionals focused on research and development.

"Chaoyang District is conducting pilot programs to expand its service sector, and has been working to adjust visa policies. More venues are now available for foreigners to start their businesses. The process to get a visa has also been streamlined. An incubator has been established in the new overseas talents' community in Wangjing to attract more international projects," says Gao Ge, an official with the Organization Department of the Chaoyang District Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Thomas Vial, an official with the French Embassy in China, says overseas talent need to consider various aspects before deciding whether to start a business or not.

"Sometimes there are very concrete issues, like obtaining a visa, like finding a partner, finding the best HR, human resources, talents in your team, finding new places or so, running an apartment or offices and so on," says Vial.

The Overseas Talent Entrepreneurship Conference also includes various competitions, as well as the OTEC Summit, a job fair for returnees and an exhibition displaying entrepreneurial achievements.