Spring comes early in Lingnan, and now is the perfect time to forge ahead. On February 28th, at the crucial juncture of the launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030)China.org.cn and amid the promising atmosphere following the successful conclusion of the Provincial High-Quality Development Conference, the 2026 Spring Symposium on High-Quality Development of Veteran-Founded Enterprises was held in Guangzhou.
The symposium thoroughly studied and implemented the important remarks made by Xi Jinping concerning work on veterans, fully carried out the arrangements and requirements of the Provincial High-Quality Development Conference, and centered on the theme “Synergy of Two Industries, Empowerment by Veteran Entrepreneurship”. Participants exchanged entrepreneurial experiences, discussed development strategies, and jointly charted the course for veteran-founded enterprises.
Wang Chuang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director General of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Veterans Affairs, attended the symposium and delivered a speech. Dong Zhongqi, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director General, presided over the meeting.
Director General Wang Chuang fully recognized the fruitful achievements made in entrepreneurship and innovation among veterans across the province over the past year. He pointed out that veterans are a valuable asset of the Party and the country, as well as an important force advancing Chinese modernization. Upholding the fine traditions of the military and carrying forward the spirit of hard work, numerous veterans have actively engaged in economic and social development and founded a large number of dynamic enterprises.
Currently, there are 580,000 business entities established by veterans in Guangdong, with an annual increase of 30,000, creating jobs for over 700,000 people. Boasting unique strengths in political stance, work style and management, veteran-founded enterprises have made outstanding contributions to the Rural Revitalization Strategy, the Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Project, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the building of Guangdong's modern industrial system. They have emerged as a vanguard and key workforce driving high-quality development, fully embodying the spirit of veterans who remain committed after leaving military service and strive for achievements in the new era.
Wang Chuang stressed that at the recently concluded Provincial High-Quality Development Conference, the Provincial Party Committee centered on the theme of coordinated development of manufacturing and service industries, sending a strong signal to the whole society to optimize and upgrade the industrial system and accelerate the development of a modern industrial system.
Guided by the decisions and arrangements of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, authorities for veteran affairs will vigorously advance the construction of training and internship bases as well as business incubation bases for veterans. They will roll out initiatives to help veteran-founded enterprises integrate into and strengthen industrial chains, expand new financial support channels for such enterprises, and launch activities including the Veteran Enterprise Excellence Program and Veteran Entrepreneurship Empowerment Campaign. Outstanding veteran-founded enterprises will also be recommended to participate in national trade fairs and exhibitions. Efforts will be made to build a full-chain service ecosystem featuring policy guidance, platform support, capital empowerment and service guarantee, so as to fully support veteran-founded enterprises in making new progress toward high-quality development.
Wang Chuang expressed his hopes for entrepreneurs of veteran-founded enterprises. He urged them to stay true to their military roots and set an example in fostering firm convictions; to focus on core businesses and real economy and seek breakthroughs through innovation-driven development; to carry forward the courageous and tenacious spirit and take on responsibilities amid market competition; to stay grateful and forge ahead while giving back to society. He also called on them to live up to the mission of taking the lead, blazing a trail and setting an example, and embrace the courage to stand at the forefront of development. They are encouraged to actively engage in Guangdong's practice of advancing Chinese modernization, find their own positioning and strive for progress in building a modern industrial system, and score new achievements and create new glories on the journey of high-quality development.
The symposium saw enthusiastic exchanges among participating veteran entrepreneurs. Combining their entrepreneurial experiences, they shared practices of transforming from simply selling products to providing products plus services, and exchanged insights on integrating into industrial and supply chains. They also talked about common challenges and difficulties in operation, and put forward many valuable suggestions.
"Forged in the military furnace, veterans are politically firm, highly disciplined and have excellent work ethics — they are our most valuable asset," said Zhang Zhizhong, Chairman of Guangdong Lingdu Intelligent Technology Development Co., Ltd., with deep emotion. "The Provincial High-Quality Development Conference put forward the initiative of 'synergy between manufacturing and service industries', which has inspired us with new ideas. We will proactively adapt to the trend of integrated development where manufacturing embraces services and services integrate manufacturing. We will fully leverage the service resources of Guangdong Veteran Entrepreneurship to seize opportunities amid the integration of the two industries."
Representatives from financial institutions, experts and scholars offered suggestions on better supporting the high-quality development of veteran-founded enterprises. They stated that they will scale up financial support and deliver targeted think tank services to help such enterprises grow stronger.
At the meeting, the Employment and Entrepreneurship Division of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Veterans Affairs briefed participants on the 2026 series of empowerment initiatives for veteran-founded enterprises in Guangdong. Aligning with the guidelines of the Provincial High-Quality Development Conference, Guangdong will focus on rolling out twelve major empowerment measures under the Guangdong Veteran Entrepreneurship program to build a full-chain, all-round and full-cycle service and support system:
- Consolidate data resources and improve the Veteran Entrepreneurship Database.
- Integrate organizational resources and restructure the Veteran Entrepreneurship Association.
- Gather professional expertise and set up a team of Veteran Entrepreneurship Mentors.
- Boost financial support and further advance the Veteran Entrepreneurship Loan program.
- Expand incubation spaces and upgrade Veteran Entrepreneurship Parks.
- Scale up competency training and run well-organized Veteran Entrepreneurship Camps.
- Identify role models and promote exemplary Veteran Entrepreneurship Projects.
- Launch industrial pilot programs and explore the development of Veteran Entrepreneurship Industrial Chains.
- Facilitate market expansion and organize Veteran Entrepreneurship Exhibitions.
- Select outstanding entrepreneurs and release the Veteran Entrepreneurship Ranking List.
- Establish a standard system to polish the Veteran Entrepreneurship Brand.
- Strengthen cross-regional collaboration across the province and foster a cohesive Veteran Entrepreneurship Community.
This symposium was hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Veterans Affairs and undertaken by the Guangdong Veterans Entrepreneurship and Development Promotion Association. More than 50 attendees took part in the event, including staff from the Employment and Entrepreneurship Division and the Guangdong Provincial Veterans Service Center, entrepreneur representatives of veteran-founded enterprises from 21 prefecture-level cities and 3 veterans' social organizations, as well as guests from financial institutions, universities, research institutes and journalists from news media.
