Guangzhou-based Jinan University unveiled China's first Maker's Space for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Students on Nov 18. [Photo/people.cn]

Guangzhou-based Jinan University unveiled China's first Maker's Space for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Students on Nov 18.

Qiu Yuanping, director of the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Lei Zhengang, head of the Office’s Culture Department, JNU President Hu Jun and Party Secretary Lin Rupeng attended the launch ceremony.

The university, together with some enterprises in Guangdong province, set up a 1.15 billion yuan ($166.67 million) fund to help those students start businesses and make innovations.

In contrast to the WE Innovation Space previously in use, the newly-launched Maker's Space for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Students shows more support for young people from these areas. It will work with JNU's innovation competition, startup boot camp and business incubation base to help business starters.

Lin Rupeng said Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese students are important driving forces to accelerate the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative and "Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation", and to promote the development of both sides of the Straits, Hong Kong and Macao.

JNU has set up a group of platforms for training and entrepreneurship personnel, Lin added.

Fang Zelong, a student from the university has settled at WE Innovation Space with his entrepreneurial team for a VR game project. The team members came from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. He said the team members' different backgrounds helped the research and development for products, since they can give suggestions on the applicability.