On the afternoon of September 18, the grand final of the 2026 Hefei Overseas Chinese Innovation Competition themed Entrepreneurship for China · Innovation for Hefei concluded successfully at Zhong’an Chuanggu in Hefei High tech Zone. Representing their respective enterprises, Dr. Chen Qingxiang and Dr. Zhu Fengren stood out among 216 global participating projects and both were awarded the third prize of the competition.
Guided by the All‑China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, this competition was hosted by Anhui Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Hefei Municipal People’s Government, and undertaken by Hefei Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Administrative Committee of Hefei High‑tech Zone. It solicited high‑quality innovation and entrepreneurship projects from overseas Chinese communities worldwide. A total of 216 projects from 30 countries and regions took part, covering cutting‑edge industrial sectors including quantum information, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and high‑end equipment. The participating teams featured outstanding talent: over 90% of applicants held master’s or doctoral degrees, and most projects possessed independent intellectual property rights, well aligning with Hefei’s “654X” industrial development layout. After rigorous screening, only 12 outstanding projects advanced to the final roadshow to compete for major awards.
In the fierce final contest, Dr. Chen Qingxiang’s project 6G Ultra low latency Optical Communication Infrastructure for Global Intelligent Integrated Networks and Dr. Zhu Fengren’s project BADOGAI Powered External Emergency Rescue Platform both claimed the third prize, thanks to solid technical strength and promising implementation prospects.
- 6G Ultra‑low‑latency Optical Communication Infrastructure for Global Intelligent Integrated Networks: Focuses on the development of underlying infrastructure for next‑generation 6G communications. Catering to demands of globally integrated intelligent networks, it tackles core technologies for ultra‑low‑latency optical communications, delivering a high‑performance communication foundation for future mass‑interconnection scenarios.
- BADOGAI‑Powered External Emergency Rescue Platform: Leverages AI to empower external rescue equipment. Targeting diverse emergency‑rescue scenarios, it delivers intelligent emergency‑rescue solutions to improve rescue efficiency amid disasters and sudden hazards.
The competition venue also witnessed the unveiling ceremony for the Hefei Overseas Chinese Innovation Base and the appointment ceremony for overseas Chinese innovation mentors. A full‑cycle service chain of “competition selection — incubation cultivation — policy support — achievement commercialization” has been established to accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements from overseas Chinese innovators. It is reported that 9 participating projects of this edition have reached preliminary landing intentions, with intended initial investment hitting 230 million yuan. The competition continues to attract high‑level talent teams including academicians, professors and doctors to settle and grow in Hefei.
Participation in this event represented more than project competition; it offered a valuable opportunity for in‑depth exchanges with industry experts and the overseas Chinese innovation ecosystem. The two projects received professional evaluation and constructive feedback from judges, while gaining first‑hand insights into Hefei’s industrial policies, park incubation services and investment‑financing supporting resources. The enterprises will translate experience gained from the competition into R&D momentum, continuously refine the technical frameworks of the two projects, seize industrial‑cooperation opportunities, and steadily advance technical iteration and achievement implementation.
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