Thirty international students hailing from prestigious universities such as Fudan University, the University of Science and Technology of China, and New York University Shanghai, gathered in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area in late September for a two-day exploration of innovation and creativity.

A group of international students from 22 countries embark on a two-day visit to Lin-gang in late September. [Photo/WeChat ID: shlghr]

From immersive visits to a smart exhibition hall and digital communities to awe-inspiring trips to the Shanghai Astronomy Museum and chip labs, these young minds experienced firsthand the technological pulse and entrepreneurial spirit that define Lin-gang.

Clairine Ivana Franetty Yong from Fudan University was impressed by Lin-gang's visionary urban planning, likening it to "a script for a future city where we can all be code writers".

Nia Abdushelishvili, a student from East China University of Science and Technology, was inspired by the boundless possibilities in Lin-gang when visiting the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, stating, "The vastness of the starry sky reminds me that exploration knows no bounds. Here, every idea has the potential to take root and flourish."

Students observe the starry sky through a telescope at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. [Photo/WeChat ID: shlghr]

Policy briefings by Lin-gang Special Area Administration staff, conducted in English, outlined comprehensive support measures for international entrepreneurs, including visa facilitation, residency support, and incubation services.

Nakahara Kosumosu, a foreign entrepreneur, shared her experience setting up a company in Lin-gang, highlighting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to downtown areas.

The event culminated in a vibrant roundtable forum, where students, acting as "temporary CEOs", proposed innovative ideas for the area's international development. Lin-gang is poised to become a global youth magnet, fostering a "foreign-like" international city image and co-creating a future-ready metropolis with young talents worldwide.

A member of the delegation shares his insights into the development of Lin-gang. [Photo/WeChat ID: shlghr]