In a recent conversation, Hungarian expatriate Chen Zhiqiang shared his insights about navigating health check-ups in Qingtian, Lishui, Zhejiang. He was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which he could address his medical needs through online services. “I didn’t have to worry about which department to visit or what tests I needed; the hospital offered a comprehensive service,” Chen recounted. After utilizing the local “Overseas Chinese Medical Service Center” to schedule an appointment, he completed his check-up just a day after arriving back home.

To enhance the healthcare experience for overseas Chinese, Qingtian County People’s Hospital entered into cooperation agreements with several overseas Chinese organizations last July. This initiative is designed to cater to the specific medical needs of expatriates by providing tailored, one-stop health services.

Lishui, known as a key hub for overseas Chinese, is home to 473,000 expatriates across more than 160 countries and regions. In recent years, the city has focused on serving its overseas community, bringing together wisdom and collaboration to invigorate initiatives related to expatriates.

Xia Get, Secretary-General of the Italian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the emotional significance of these services. He recalled a poignant moment from last year when he was unable to return home due to his father’s illness. Fortunately, volunteers from the Lishui Overseas Chinese Service Volunteer Association stepped in to assist in transporting his elderly father for medical treatment in the city.

Qingtian County has rolled out a “Warm Services for Overseas Chinese” plan, implementing a range of initiatives aimed at supporting expatriates. In Ledu District, the first “Home for Overseas Chinese Certification” in Zhejiang has been launched, offering comprehensive legal notarization services. Lishui has continuously adapted its service methods to become a dependable ally for overseas expatriates and their families.

With the growth of international business exchanges, many overseas Chinese are utilizing their resources to assist domestic brands in expanding globally, while also bringing projects back to their hometowns, thereby bolstering local industries.

In response to these trends, Lishui has introduced 30 policy measures to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative contributions of overseas Chinese. The city has hosted events such as the Overseas Chinese Import Expo and the International Coffee Expo, effectively transforming expatriate resources into new drivers of growth. Since 2021, Lishui has successfully attracted 93 projects related to overseas expatriates, amounting to a total investment of 35.8 billion yuan.

In 2021, Zhejiang received a historic mandate to establish a model for high-quality development focused on common prosperity, and the potential of “overseas Chinese power” in this mission is considerable.

Earlier this year, a series of initiatives dubbed “The Heart of Overseas Chinese Always with the Party: United for Development” was launched in Lishui’s Longquan City, providing extensive financial assistance and services to overseas Chinese and their businesses. To date, more than ten expatriate enterprises have benefited from these programs.

Lishui has also proactively organized events to showcase projects connected to overseas Chinese, facilitating discussions with prominent overseas business leaders regarding local policies and investment opportunities. Reports indicate that nearly 198 overseas Chinese organizations and over 600 esteemed members of the expatriate community have participated in project negotiations and exchanges in the region.

Furthermore, Lishui has encouraged expatriate communities to engage in the “Hundred Expatriate Organizations Supporting Hundred Villages” initiative. So far, 197 overseas groups have partnered with remote villages, providing over 60 million yuan in industrial funding and more than 7 million yuan in village support, significantly contributing to rural revitalization and shared prosperity.