Chinese Returnees: Driving Force of Chinese Innovation

With the support of the Western Returned Scholars Association editorial board and Center for China & Globalization (CCG), Chinese Returnees: Driving Force of Chinese Innovation was published by the People’s Publishing House on March 20, 2014. Dr. Wang Huiyao, Vice-chairman of WRSA, is the  book’s editor-in-chief and Xu suining, Deputy Secretary General of WRSA, is its associate editor. According to Dr. Wang, who is also Director of CCG, the number of Chinese returning home after living overseas amounted to 1.4 million from 1978 to 2013. As the first book of its kind on this subject, Chinese Returnees follows the pioneering life of Chinese returnees to gain a better understanding what has made this group such a valuable force in China’s development. As a reference book for policymakers and a mirror for Chinese returnees to look into themselves, this book also presents itself as a gift to the WRSA to mark the 100th anniversary of the association.

This book is divided into three parts based on a timeline. The first part reviews the innovations overseas Chinese brought to the mainland after returning to China before the foundation of the People’s Republic. The second part deals with returnees serving the country between 1949 and 1978. The third part tells the story of returnees after reform and opening up policy, emphasizing how they have leveraged their overseas experience into acting as leaders in the innovation and upgrading of China’s economy.