A press conference for the soon-to-be-held World Zhoushanese Congress is held in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, on July 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A conference to encourage Zhoushan-born entrepreneurs living elsewhere to return and contribute to local development is scheduled to be held in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 1, according to a press conference held by local authorities on July 23.

It will be the first time for Zhoushan to hold the conference, said Wang Wei, director of the United Front Work Department of CPC Zhoushan Committee.

Wang Wei, director of the United Front Work Department of CPC Zhoushan Committee, introduces the soon-to-be-held conference. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The conference is a response to the Belt and Road Initiative and aims to strengthen relations between Zhoushan natives living inside and outside the city as well as encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses in their hometown," said Wang.

The World Zhoushanese Congress will be attended by Zhoushan-born businessmen and social elites in China, especially Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as in overseas countries, representatives of Zhoushan chambers of commerce around the country, and some non-Zhoushan-natives who have contributed to the city, among others.

"We now have more than 100,000 natives living outside of the city, a majority of whom are in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas countries," said Xu Zhizhong, executive deputy director of the United Front Work Department of CPC Zhoushan Committee.

Xu Zhizhong, executive deputy director of the United Front Work Department of CPC Zhoushan Committee, answers reporters' questions. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A summit forum on Zhoushan development will be one of the highlights, where famous businessmen, industry experts and academic scholars will share their insights into the city's development from a global perspective.

In addition, several promotional activities, project signing ceremonies and field trips in Zhoushan will also be organized as sideline events of the conference. Medals will be awarded to Zhoushan natives who have made great contributions to the city.