By the endorsement of Department of International Affairs and Department of Financial Affairs under the Ministry of Education, Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange and Torch High Technology Industry Development Center under the Ministry of Science & Technology have initiated the 2006 "Chunhui Cup" Pioneering Competition for Overseas Chinese Scholars. The purpose of this Competition is to guide and nurture those aspiring overseas Chinese talents onto a successful pioneering road in their homeland. We hope the Competition will explore their independent creative abilities, single out some excellent projects that are high in technological content, and carry pathbreaking potential with good future market value, and inspire their passion to build their careers back in China.

The following is a list of sponsors, coordinators and supporting organizations for the Competition:

Sponsors:

-        Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange

-        Torch High Technology Industry Development Center under the Ministry of Science & Technology

-        Organizing Committee of the Convention of Overseas Scholars in Science and Technology in Guangzhou (Base center for the Competition award ceremony)

-        Management Committee of Weihai Economic and Technological Development Zone (Base center for proposal review and assessment)

Coordinators:

-        WRSA Chamber of Commerce of China

-        The Overseas Students Pioneer Park of Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park

-        Beijing Zhongguancun International Incubator Incorporation

-        Shanghai Zhangjiang Overseas Chinese Students Pioneer Park

-        Guangzhou Entrepreneur Park for Overseas Chinese Scholars

-        Dalian Hi-Tech Business Incubator

-        Tsinghua Business Incubator Co., Ltd.

-        BUAA Business Incubator

-        Nanjing Science and Technology Enterprises Incubator

-        Suzhou Pioneering Park for Overseas Chinese Scholars

-        China Kunshan Pioneering Park for Overseas Chinese Scholars

-        Shanghai XinMin New Hi-Tech & Returned Students Science Undertaking Zone

-        Weihai Pioneer Park for Overseas Scholars

-        China Scholars Abroad

Supporters:

-        Educational Departments/Offices with Chinese Embassies/Consulates

-        Overseas Chinese students associations, academic and social organizations.

As presented above, nationwide pioneer parks and related organizations have joined hands to make this Competition possible. This Competition is an organic part of the "Chunhui Project", a generous design by the Ministry of Education in 1996 to provide various channels for overseas Chinese scholars to fulfill their dreams and serve their country.  By collecting technological oriented proposals and creative ideas, this Competition will be able to build a new platform for assessment, recommendation, and incubation of pioneering projects submitted by those Chinese professionals who are determined to reestablish themselves in China.

The panel of judges for the Competition will consist of representatives from venture capital firms, entrepreneurs and businessmen, managers of pioneer parks, and field experts. The organizing committee of the Competition will provide award-winning contestants with financial assistance to attend business symposiums in December in Guangzhou and discuss with interested parties their pioneering proposals. The pioneer parks around the country are ready to offer preferential treatment and personalized services to prize winners for admission into pioneer parks and incubation of their projects. This Competition will also result in a compilation of award-winning and contesting projects to attract more investment interest. Furthermore, public commendation will go to those overseas Chinese Educational Departments/Offices with Chinese Embassies, overseas Chinese student organizations and local pioneer parks who have played a key role in inspiring potential contestants to participate in the Competition.

For years, many overseas Chinese scholars have come back to their birthplace for careers and become successful businessmen in China. Dr. Deng Zhonghan, CEO of Vimicro Co., Ltd., Mr. Wu Ying, President and CEO of UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd., and Dr. Shi Zhengrong, Executive Director of Australia-Pacific Solar Energy Electric Power Co., Ltd. are just a few among many returned Chinese with creative energy who have made it here in their homeland.

The "Chunhui Cup" Competition will pave the road for the determined and inventive minds to build a challenging and exciting career in China, which will draw further public attention and increased investment interest. In addition, the Competition will deliver more quality projects to the pioneer parks, and therefore provide stimulus to the early stage incubation of those projects that will have a high probability to grow into successful enterprises. More importantly, this Competition will contribute to our national strategic goal of bringing back high-level professional talents and achieving our own creative independence.

Meng Jiao, a well-known Tang-dynasty poet, once said "Such kindness of warm sun cannot be repaid by grass" (Song of the Wanderer). He was alluding to a man trying hard to fulfill his filial piety, but he would never be able to repay his mother's grace of raising him. But today we say that he can. With the fast growing economy, there are numerous ways for overseas Chinese professionals to render their service to China and repay her kindness to and aspirations of them. The "Chunhui Cup" Competition is yet another venue for them to express their unique talents and realize their proud dreams.

We warmly invite all Educational Departments/Offices with Chinese Embassies/Consulates to help us promote this Competition to your respective Chinese student unions, associations, and academic societies so that there will be as many qualified professionals as possible to participate in this exciting gathering of creative minds. For more details about the Competition, please visit our website http://www.cscse.edu.cn.

The Competition has officially started in mid-July 2006, when the online registration was open to contestants. The project evaluation period will begin in October in Weihai Economic and Technological Development Zone, and the award ceremony will take place in December at the Convention of Overseas Scholars in Science and Technology in Guangzhou.

All interested parties are welcome to register for the Competition on our website http://www.cscse.edu.cn. The online registration is open until September 30, 2006.

We couldn't adequately express our gratitude to Educational Departments/Offices with Chinese Embassies/Consulates around the world. Without your assistance this Competition will not be possible. Your advice and comments are important and will be much appreciated.

Contact Information:

Address: Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange

Persons to contact: Wang Tianjie, Zhang Fengyu, Dai Zhengming

Telephone: 0086-10-82370953, 0086-10-62317331, 13911185536

Fax: 0086-10-82370953

E-mail: cyds@cscse.com.cn

Appendix: