The 2017 Xinjiang Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition launched in the Urumqi High-tech Industrial Development Zone (UHDZ) on July 3, in conjunction with the Xinjiang Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit.

The 2017 Xinjiang Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition opens in the UHDZ on July 3. [Photo/uhdz.gov.cn]

During the launch ceremony, Tong Xiaomin, head of the information center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, expressed his expectations for this year's competition. Tong noted that the competition will accelerate innovation-driven strategies in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and promote local economic development and small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The competition is part of the national "Made in China" campaign, and will select the most exceptional Xinjiang projects to promote throughout country and the world.

Tong Xiaomin, head of the information center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, expresses his expectations for the competition. [Photo/uhdz.gov.cn]

The competition is divided into a makers competition and an enterprise competition, with applications being received from June 10 to July 15. Outstanding projects will be sent to attend the national finals in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in October.

Wang Zhongshan, deputy director of the Economic and Informatization Commission of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said that the competition aims to inspire innovation among local enterprises and create cooperative platform for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

A round table talk gathers famous entrepreneurs during the Xinjiang Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit on July 3. [Photo/uhdz.gov.cn]

Famous entrepreneurs were invited to share their experiences during the innovation and entrepreneurship summit, including Sun Chunhua, secretary-general of the International Maker League, Xu Deguo, president of Xinjiang Gaoding Capital, and Xu Cheng, founder of chelaile.com.

Edited By Zachary Dye