A promotion to attract returning overseas scholars to start their businesses in Xixian New Area in Shaanxi province was launched in the area on Wednesday, aiming to integrate human resources and economic development.

The Entrepreneurship Week for Returning Overseas Scholars was sponsored by the central committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the All China Youth Federation and the Chinese Overseas-returned Scholars Association (COSA) and hosted by the Xixian New Area administration committee. Other sponsors were four organizations that operate under the theme of Silk Road Engine and Entrepreneurial Heights, all seeking to attract overseas talent to Xixian New Area, a national new development area established with the approval of the central government in 2012.

Li Dongyu, vice-chairwoman of the CPPCC Shaanxi provincial committee, said the central government required the Xixian New Area be built as a hub to open the western regions and a new economic engine for western development and the construction of a Silk Road economic belt. Attracting talented people is a key factor for the success of Xixian New Area, she said.

"The Entrepreneurship Week for Returning Overseas Scholars builds a platform for the new area and Shaanxi province to attract overseas talents who will inject new vitality into the development of the new area and Shaanxi province," Li said.

Dong Hao, vice-president of COSA, said at the opening ceremony that Xixian New Area is very important to lead and drive development in China's western regions and expand westward opening, and is also ideal for returned scholars to start their businesses.

"As a strategic platform for investment, introduction of high-end talent, innovation and entrepreneurship, COSA will play the role of bridge and link to make its own contribution for the development of Xixian New Area," Dong said.

A base for overseas student to start their businesses was established on July 16, the first day of the entrepreneurship week, to attract, encourage and help returning students to create their enterprises in the area.

The activity attracted some 100 overseas scholars from the United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea, who brought projects in energy, tourism, electronic information, biological medicine, environment protection, trade and logistics to seek cooperation with Xixian New Area.

The Entrepreneurship Week for Returning Overseas Scholars program launched in 2001 and has been held 13 times across the country. It has attracted more than 6,000 overseas scholars from 23 countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, the Britain, France and Germany to create businesses in more than 60 industrial parks in 28 provinces, municipalities and regions and greatly promoted local economic development.