Wu Hongkang (second from right), an overseas Chinese, returns to Qingtian to run a hotel in Renzhuang town. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

More than 100,000 overseas Chinese native to Qingtian county, Lishui, and currently living or working internationally are returning to participate in the development of their hometown.

Qingtian, located in the southeast of Zhejiang province, is famous for its large international population. There are about 330,000 Qingtian people living or working abroad, in more than 120 countries and regions.

In recent years, the county government has been encouraging all Qingtian people living outside the Chinese mainland to consider returning home to join hands with their compatriots in developing their homeland. Nearly one third answered the call and invested in local homestay, agriculture and tourism projects.

Qingdu Park is a typical project funded by Chinese investors living in Italy. With an investment of 340 million yuan ($51.42 million), the park will be built into a European-style architectural complex for sightseeing and entertainment.

Chen Suyun, once a businesswoman in Italy, returned to be elected Party chief of Qingtian's Yingzhuangyang village. An estimated 215 village officials returned from abroad to assume positions.

The local government bolsters its efforts by providing all-round services. As many of those returning from overseas remain unfamiliar with domestic life in the region, Qingtian has established exchange and sharing platforms, including a shopping mall for imported goods and a center for investor-and-project matchmaking.

"Overseas Qingtian folk have been a strong force in the county's development," said Qiao Wei, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

With the support of the Qingtian government, many Qingtian people have returned from abroad to start businesses selling imported goods. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]