The 2017 Guangdong Entrepreneurs Conference, an annual gathering for Guangdong entrepreneurs to share their business ideas, was held in Guangzhou on Sept 19.

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs from home and abroad attended the conference, including Pony Ma, chairman and CEO of internet giant Tencent and Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of China's leading appliance maker Gree.  

Over 1,000 entrepreneurs from home and abroad attend the 2017 Guangdong Entrepreneurs Conference. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

At the conference, Ma delivered a speech expressing the Guangdong entrepreneur spirit. Ma also listed the four traits of Guangdong entrepreneurs in modern times saying that they are innovative, open-minded and grateful.

Pony Ma, chairman and CEO of internet giant Tencent speaks at the 2017 Guangdong Entrepreneurs Conference.[ Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Dong also gave a speech at the conference, saying that the great achievements made by Guangdong entrepreneurs are closely connected with the good business environment in the province and the support from the provincial government.

Dong emphasized that innovation is vital to companies, adding that Gree's success originates from its innovative technologies and great services.

"I hope more Guangdong entrepreneurs can achieve greater success on the international stage and make customers from across the world fall in love with products made in China," Dong said.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) was a hot topic at the conference, with many famous entrepreneurs expressing their views.

"When enterprises in Hong Kong, Macao and the cities in the Pearl River Delta region give full play to their potential and team up, we will surely have a world-class bay area on a par with or even surpassing other bay areas like San Francisco Bay Area and Tokyo Bay Area," said Yang Zhao, chairman of Hong Kong fashion retailer Glorious Sun Enterprises.

Others entrepreneurs that spoke at the conference included Wang Chuanfu, the founder and chairman of automobile maker BYD Group and Su Zhigang, president of leading tourism and entertainment company Chimelong Group. 

Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree delivers a speech at the 2017 Guangdong Entrepreneurs Conference held on Sept 19 in Guangzhou. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]