Spread out a world map, and you’ll find Guangzhou situated at the hub of the productive western Pacific Rim, connecting China’s hinterland with Southeast Asia and bridging the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Flip through world history, and you’ll notice that while later commercial port cities like New York, Seoul, and Tokyo rose to prominence only in the last five centuries, Guangzhou stands alone as a commercial city that has flourished for over a thousand years without decline. Guangzhou was born from the sea and prospered because of it. Its unique geographical setting—”converged by three rivers, embraced by mountains and sea”—made it a land-based hub and a maritime gateway since ancient times.
Over 2,000 years ago, merchant ships set sail from Guangzhou’s Nicheng Wharf, marking the beginning of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Artifacts unearthed from the Western Han Nanyue King’s Tomb—such as African elephant tusks, Persian silver boxes, and frankincense and glassware from Southeast Asia or West Asia—tell the story of international trade and exchange dating back two millennia.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, the establishment of the Maritime Trade Commissioner and the Office of Maritime Trade signaled the formalization and expansion of seaborne commerce, cementing Guangzhou’s status as a renowned Eastern port along the Maritime Silk Road and global shipping routes. Delving into Guangzhou’s historical scrolls, one finds a fusion of Chinese and foreign cultures and the enduring legacy of Lingnan culture. This nationally celebrated historical and cultural city embodies the open, inclusive, and assimilative spirit of Chinese civilization, attracting countless talented individuals from all corners of the world to realize their ambitions here.
History is a mirror—it illuminates the present and charts the course for the future. Moving closer to modern times, in the early days of China’s reform and opening-up, the slogan “East, West, North, South—to Guangdong for prosperity!” swept the nation, and the phenomenon of “peacocks flying southeast” became a spectacular sight. A robust industrial ecosystem, a globally connected hub, and an open, inclusive business and living environment drew tens of thousands of young people to Guangzhou.
Looking ahead to a future full of promise, Guangzhou remains committed to “attracting talent to build the city and leveraging talent to prosper it.” The city actively implements provincial initiatives like the “Millions of Talents Gather in South Guangdong” plan and its own “Guangzhou Gathers Talents” project, pursuing brilliance with eagerness, cherishing talent as life itself, valuing it like gold, and putting ability above all else.
