For years, Wenzhou has been exporting businesspeople around the world. There are now some 2.3 million people hailing from Wenzhou running businesses across China and overseas, leading the city to be nicknamed China's "city of entrepreneurs".

But now, Wenzhou is on a mission to lure its famous sons and daughters back to the city.

Local government officials have made convincing overseas Wenzhou entrepreneurs to come back to the city their number one priority in recent years, and Wenzhou is already reaping the rewards as many former residents return with capital and fresh ideas.

According to Wenzhou government statistics, the city received 305.1 billion yuan ($44.7 billion) of investment between January 2014 and September 2016 from returning businesses opening factories and transferring production lines to Wenzhou.

To encourage more businesses to come back, Wenzhou provides a range of favorable policies including generous land usage rights, subsidies and administrative services.

One former Wenzhou resident attracted by these measures is Chen Qingke, president of the stainless steel manufacturer Tsingshan Holding Group.

Located in Longwan district, the stainless steel giant, whose annual output accounts for 11% of the world’s total, contributed $10 million to local tax revenues in 2015.

Chen said the favorable policies on offer were an important factor in his decision to bring his business back to Wenzhou, but even more crucial was his strong feelings for his hometown.