Weifang, a prominent city in Shandong, has once again made its way to Peking University. This marks the third consecutive year of such dedicated visits, following the 2023 theme of "Poetry and Distant Lands are in Weifang" and the 2025 focus on "New Rhythms of Intangible Heritage, A Future of Sci-Tech Innovation." The latest 2026 event centered on the concept of "Finding Peace of Mind in Weifang."
These annual pilgrimages to the prestigious university trace a clear path of deepening dialogue and escalating commitment. The initial visit used cultural tourism as a bridge to showcase the city's vibrant energy to young scholars. The second engagement evolved into an industrial technology matchmaking session, where Weifang presented specific industry needs to directly tap into Peking University's scientific and innovation resources.
This year's third visit broadened the scope beyond singular industrial or tourism promotion. Weifang presented a holistic city portrait across four dimensions: livability, suitability for business, tourism appeal, and wellness. The focus shifted from merely discussing development opportunities to addressing the long-term sense of belonging crucial for talent to settle and thrive.
This persistent outreach reflects Weifang's increasingly sophisticated strategy for attracting talent—progressing from capturing attention, to aligning with industries, and ultimately to winning over hearts and minds.
The collaboration between Weifang and Peking University is built on a foundation spanning over four decades. This long-standing partnership has fostered a natural extension of university-local cooperation, with numerous collaborative achievements taking root in Shandong.
Weifang's robust industrial foundation is the core competitive advantage fueling its confidence in repeatedly seeking talent from Peking University. The city's 2025 GDP reached 858.7 billion yuan, supported by five trillion-yuan-level industrial clusters and 27 national-level manufacturing champions. Its agricultural output value consistently ranks first in Shandong province. With 2026 being a pivotal year for Weifang's push to become a trillion-yuan economy and a regional sub-center, the demand for top-tier talent to drive industrial upgrading and technological innovation is more critical than ever.
During the latest promotion event, multiple departments including the Weifang Municipal Organization Department jointly presented comprehensive policies covering talent recruitment, industrial cooperation, housing benefits, healthcare and wellness facilities, and cultural tourism resources. This full disclosure of what the city can offer talent demonstrates remarkable transparency and sincerity in its recruitment efforts.
Weifang's strategy elevates the end goal from merely attracting people to ensuring they feel at home. Moving beyond the common model of competing on subsidies and short-term policies, Weifang now emphasizes "peace of mind," directly addressing the core concerns of modern professionals when choosing a place to work and live.
The city has established a complete talent service ecosystem designed to attract, retain, and ensure the well-being of professionals. This includes specialized recruitment, dedicated liaisons, return-visit inspections, and one-on-one precision services. Weifang provides not just job opportunities but a full spectrum of life support encompassing housing, healthcare, elderly care, and cultural amenities, aiming to offer both career platforms and a warm living environment.
Three consecutive years of visits to Peking University signify more than a promotional campaign; they represent an evolution in the city's development philosophy. Talent attraction has moved beyond one-off recruitment drives toward fostering long-term, symbiotic relationships and mutual achievement. Peking University's顶尖 intellectual resources can empower Weifang's industrial transformation, while Weifang's comprehensive industrial landscape and superior living conditions offer fertile ground for the university's researchers to translate achievements and build fulfilling lives.
Weifang's "three calls" to Peking University underscore a major manufacturing and agricultural city's enduring thirst for top talent. It is a natural progression of decades of university-local cooperation and marks the city's growth from "building nests to attract phoenixes" to "creating homes where phoenixes can settle." With industry as its foundation, sincerity as its bridge, and peace of mind as its destination, Weifang is patiently and genuinely writing a new chapter in university-local collaboration and talent-driven prosperity.