On June 19, the 10th-anniversary celebration of the "Chunhui Cup" China Overseas Study Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, along with the official launch of the 2015 China-U.S. Young Makers Competition, took place in Pittsburgh, USA. Representatives from academic and business circles in both China and the U.S. unanimously agreed that young entrepreneurs and makers in China and America are living in an exciting era—and are emerging as a major new highlight in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich stated: "China has already become one of the world's leading innovation hubs, and we’re thrilled to contribute to the growing maker movement and cultural dialogue between young people in China and the U.S. Through our cutting-edge technology, global perspective, and international resources, we aim to support innovation and help bridge the gap, fostering collaboration and exchange opportunities for young innovators across both nations."

　　As a key supporting event of the high-level U.S.-China People-to-People Exchange Dialogue, this year’s China-U.S. Young Makers Competition is themed "Co-Creating the Future." It focuses on sustainable development areas such as communities, education, health, transportation, as well as environmental protection and energy. Participants will combine innovative design concepts with cutting-edge technology to develop entirely new products or applications that deliver both industrial and societal value. According to the competition schedule, the winning teams from each regional division in China and the U.S. will compete in the final round in China in mid-August this year.

　　Over the past 10 years, the "Chunhui Cup" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has selected a total of 1,654 overseas-studied talent innovation projects. Among these, more than 300 projects have already been successfully launched and nurtured in China, spanning diverse fields such as electronic information, biomedicine, new materials, and new energy. Of the shortlisted projects from the competition's previous nine editions, those submitted by overseas students from the United States accounted for 41.5%. Notably, this year marked the first time a North America regional competition was added to the event.

　　Pittsburgh was once a renowned industrial city in the United States, famously known as the "Steel Capital." However, while industrial growth brought prosperity, it also left the city blanketed in thick smoke and pollution. As the steel industry declined, Pittsburgh's momentum began to fade. Today, though, thanks to thriving sectors like finance, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, this city—once part of America's "Rust Belt"—has successfully reinvented itself into a nationally recognized hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, achieving both economic vitality and environmental sustainability. This year, the launch ceremony for the China-U.S. Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project took place here, adding an especially meaningful touch to the occasion.

　　Lei Bao, a current MBA student at Bridgeport University in the U.S., is the winner of the 9th "Chunhui Cup" competition. Her winning project will soon be implemented in Nanjing. By participating in the "Chunhui Cup" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Lei Bao has deeply realized that China is currently experiencing a golden age for entrepreneurship—especially given the strong government support for mass entrepreneurship and innovation across the nation. She notes that collaboration between China and the U.S. is evolving from traditional economic ties toward innovation and creativity, highlighting numerous opportunities for mutual learning and inspiration. China can draw valuable lessons from the U.S. on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset throughout society, while this exchange will also allow Americans to gain firsthand insight into the remarkable innovative and creative capabilities of Chinese entrepreneurs. Take the mobile internet sector as an example: while Chinese innovators often feel particularly confident in this field, the U.S. may actually have much to learn from China—ultimately paving the way for more balanced competition and meaningful dialogue between the two nations.

　　Nathan Smilayak, a biomedical engineer from the University of Pittsburgh and a representative of young American innovators, told our newspaper’s reporter that while the U.S. and China differ in their historical cultures, development stages, and other factors, these very differences also present opportunities for mutual complementarity and collaboration. He emphasized that the convergence of ideas between young people from both countries in innovation and entrepreneurship will not only deepen mutual understanding but also help cultivate a new generation of globally-minded, forward-thinking talent. Nathan expressed strong confidence that this collaborative momentum will undoubtedly have a positive and profound impact on the next generation in both nations. Moreover, he noted that by joining forces—particularly in cutting-edge fields like new energy—China and the U.S. can jointly develop innovative solutions to the shared challenges facing the global community.