Beijing's talent ecosystem highlighted at youth dialogue with international experts
By Lin Zhuowei
(ECNS) – "Start with 'Nihao' and 'Xiexie.' Even a simple 'Can I take a photo with you?' can take you far in China," said David Evans, professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award. Speaking with humor and warmth, he addressed the concerns of international students about cultural differences at the 2025 "Dialogues with Youth, Progress with China" International Experts Roundtable Meeting, drawing waves of applause.
The event, part of the 2025 Beijing International Talent Carnival, was organized by the Beijing Overseas Talents Center. Five recipients of the Chinese Government Friendship Award, from the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Mexico, met face-to-face with more than 60 international students from Minzu University of China, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Beijing University of Technology.
During the "Expert Insights" session, the panelists shared their personal journeys of coming to China and contributing in their respective fields.
Mark Levine, professor at Minzu University of China, has lived in China for over 20 years and written more than 80 folk songs about the country, teaching students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and recording China's changes through music and prose.
Francesco Faiola, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has focused on cutting-edge environmental science since 2014, helping establish an internationally leading stem-cell toxicology platform in Beijing.
David Evans, with his trademark silver hair and lively demonstrations, moved from Oxford University to classrooms across China, making chemistry fun and winning millions of fans online. "The more I learn about China, the more I realize how much I don't know," he said with childlike curiosity.
Alberto Conejo, professor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing and the first Mexican recipient of the Friendship Award, recalled the historic "Silver Road" of China-Mexico exchanges and highlighted cooperation in green metallurgy for climate action.
Erik Nilsson, a senior correspondent at China Daily, shared his experience reporting on the Wenchuan earthquake, where he witnessed what he described as "miracles of solidarity" that made China stand out from other countries.
For many young participants, the stories were inspiring. "I hadn't really thought about my future yet since I'm only a sophomore, but after hearing the professors, I feel I might want to stay in China," said a Nepalese student from Beihang University.
Pooling international talents in its progress toward modernization, China has been working to build a more supportive environment. Taking Beijing as an example, the city has opened 26 work permit service windows in 14 districts and published a guidebook for expats to work in Beijing.
It also provides platforms such as the GT2HR Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Foreign Talent Service Work Bases, the Beijing International Youth Innovation and Development Forum, and the HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Competitions.
Events like the "Colorful Life in Beijing" series and the International Talent Carnival further help international talent integrate into local life.