A city full of youthful vigor and opportunity

When Chengdu implemented a talent attraction policy "offering local hukou, or household registration, before employment" in 2017, Zeng Luxian became the first person to enjoy the initiative. She had received her doctoral degree from Sichuan University in the same year.

"After getting the local hukou, my life was not too different from before, but (looking back) it also seems to have undergone a great change," Zeng said.

"I have a greater sense of belonging to Chengdu, where I have been living for more than a decade, to have a family and start a career here," she added.

Zeng is now a mathematics and science teacher at a primary school in the city's Tianfu New Area.

"Chengdu is a livable and workable park city, not only having delicious food and natural beauty, but offering many opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship," Zeng said.

"The city's talent policy shows me its thirst for young talent and its sincerity for all kinds of talented people," she said.

Many graduates from universities in Chengdu have chosen to start careers here.

The capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province is an important base for higher education in the country. It boasts 64 colleges and universities, with around 1 million students.

They include many prestigious universities such as Sichuan University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Southwest Jiaotong University and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. They have been at the forefront in terms of sci-tech research capabilities and the number of students in China.

In addition to Chinese students, Chengdu has attracted many foreign exchange students to stay in the city after graduation.

Jonathan Kott is one of them. He came to Chengdu from Seattle, the United States, as an exchange student in early 1998. Sichuan cuisine, the inclusive urban atmosphere and leisurely lifestyle have kept him living in the city for more than 20 years.

Kott likes to ride through the streets and alleys of Chengdu to enjoy the park city after work.

When accompanying friends visiting Chengdu, Kott said they are always impressed by the city's combination of traditional Bashu civilization and modern facilities.

Over the past few years, he has experienced the development of Chengdu and seen the city attract investors from all over the world. Also, it is home to an increasing number of international talents and high-tech enterprises.

Chengdu is becoming a modern international metropolis with global influence and reputation in western China, showcasing youthful vitality. "I have been living in Chengdu for about 25 years and will continue to live here. I believe that the future of Chengdu will produce more miracles and bring more surprises to the world," Kott said.

Since 2018, Chengdu has launched a campus ambassador selection program to encourage local college students to integrate into the economic and social development of the city.

Wu Lunmin is one of the first batch of campus ambassadors. He was admitted to the drama, film and television performance major of Sichuan Conservatory of Music in 2016. "This new identity has broadened my horizons and given me the opportunity to interact with more and larger platforms. It has also greatly expanded my literary and artistic resources, and strengthened my confidence to stay in Chengdu," he said.

With the support of Chengdu's innovation and entrepreneurship policy, Wu founded his own company in his sophomore year and set up a children's art troupe.

"Through artistic creation and interpretation, more people can know about Chengdu, fall in love with Chengdu and stay in Chengdu," he said.

"It is a dream city, which can meet all your imagination of the future. It is young, warm and full of infinite opportunities and vitality," he added.

Chengdu has issued a series of preferential policies to support startups, like rent reduction and management skills training. It also provides financial subsidies toward the innovation and entrepreneurship of college students.

Abolfazl Bayat, a faculty member of quantum information and technology at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, said: "Chengdu offers a very nice balance of work and life in China. I found the culture a little bit relaxed and easygoing, which I think is very important for mental health. I enjoy moving around and see people playing mahjong."

China is transforming from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing and technological innovation. Even though there will be many challenges, Bayat believes that it will have amazing achievements in the future, whether it be in quantum technologies, electronics or the space sector.

"I call China the land of opportunity for young people. This country provides a lot of hope for future generations," he added.