The Convention on Exchange of Overseas Talents and the Guangzhou Convention of Overseas Chinese Scholars in Science and Technology, which take place in Guangdong provincial capital Guangzhou every year, are playing an increasingly important role in attracting overseas talents to serve the country's economic construction, a senior official said.

Tang Tao, deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, said the two events, the largest of the kind in the mainland, have built good platforms for overseas Chinese scholars and students to return home to start their business or be employed in the country and conduct their academic and project exchanges.

Tang made the remarks at the opening ceremony for this year's events on Wednesday.

"China aims to become a major destination for high-end talents from around the world and hopes overseas talents can play a big part in the country's sustainable development in the years to come," he said.

According to Tang, China attracted more than 2.65 million overseas Chinese talents by the end of last year.

Of them, more than 430,000 returned home to start business and find job opportunities in 2016.

Lin Shaochun, executive vice-governor of Guangdong province, said Guangdong provincial government has always paid great attention to attracting overseas talents to support its scientific innovation and economic development.

Guangdong is particularly expecting to be able to attract more overseas talents in the industries of information technology, artificial intelligence and biopharmaceutical which have been given priorities for development in the next years.

Lin promised to further improve the province's business and living environment, introduce more preferential policies and create even more business opportunities for talents from rest of the world in the future.

More than 3,000 overseas talents, including more than 1,800 doctorate degree holders, from around the world are attending this year's events, aiming to seek opportunities to start their business in the mainland and exchange views with local scientific personnel.

Meanwhile more than 50 companies listed in the top 500 in the world are participating in the events, with their eyes on recruiting high-end overseas talents.