The opening ceremony of the final round of the 3rd China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The final round of the 3rd China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition kicked off on Oct 26 in Quanzhou, Fujian province.

This year's competition features four categories: innovation, entrepreneurship, overseas (the Belt and Road Initiative) and challenge-based, across seven key tracks including information technology and artificial intelligence, high-end equipment manufacturing and robotics, and new energy and environmental protection.

Wu Minghong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the competition's ambassador, said that the inclusion of multiple cutting-edge interdisciplinary tracks is intended to encourage participants to connect and integrate across disciplines.

During the event, a talent recruitment fair showcased 1,593 positions offered by 237 corporations and institutions.

"We plan to recruit 40 postdoctoral researchers in ophthalmology, clinical medicine, and related fields. This competition provides an excellent platform to attract talent and support industry development," said Liao Huizhi, human resources director at Aier Eye Hospital.

Liu Yupu, senior engineer at Fudan University and gold medalist of the inaugural competition, emphasized that the event serves as a bridge across disciplines and regions, helping projects transition from laboratory research to industrial application.

This year's competition attracted 8,006 projects and 36,000 participants, with both numbers being record highs.

The entries now focus more on national strategic priorities, frontier scientific research, and industrial development needs, with over 1,700 projects advancing to the national finals.

Alongside the finals, the competition hosts activities related to the commercialization of research results, entrepreneurship services, talent recruitment, and events on innovation and entrepreneurship.