China further lowers threshold to attract overseas talent

[Yizhi]

China further lowers threshold to attract overseas talent
English.news.cn 2015-01-25



BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has expanded its program to attract overseas talent by adding 55 introduction plans to the latest brain gain list.

Overseas personnel introduced by the plans will enjoy preferential policies in visa applications, residence permits, settling in China as well as exit/entry convenience equal with members of the influential Thousand Talent program initiated in December 2008, the People's Daily reported on Sunday.

The newspaper cited a circular jointly issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee Organization Department, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

Prof. Wu Jiang of the Chinese Academy of Governance said the lower threshold for talent expands the scope of talent visas, which gained legal status in 2012.

"Previously China introduced very few overseas experts, as the threshold was high and the exit/entry rules were strict," said an official of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

More overseas personnel have come to China thanks to the talent introduction programs. Since 2008, the Thousand Talent program has introduced more than 4,100 overseas staff, with local governments attracting more than 30,000, according to official figures.

By the end of 2013, more than 1.44 million overseas Chinese students had returned to China, with returnees in 2013 five times the number in 2008.

The newspaper cited biologist Shi Yigong of Tsinghua University and Physicist Pan Jianwei of the University of Science and Technology of China, both among the first group of Thousand Talent program scientists to come back to China, the backbone in the country's innovation.

Rules on foreigners' permanent residence in China are in the pipeline and expected to take effect before the year end, which will further highlight preferential policies.

China further lowers threshold to attract overseas talent - Xinhua | English.news.cn

 

[CHN Bamboo]

good news~

 

[Bussard Ramjet]

For the future of China, it is very important that it is attractive to foreign talent.
Just look at the United States, you would almost believe that you are in an Asian University in any top science program there. They attract talent, and heap heavy rewards. China should work hard, not only to reduce brain drain, but attract the already lost talent, and finally attracting fresh talent.

 

[Donatello]

Great news. China is today what US was in 1960/70s for new immigrants. Immense opportunity in all industries. But i hope they introduce entrepreneur easy visas like they have in the west, plus intellectual property clauses. With the rise of the digital age, China is easily situated to reap the benefits.

 

[TaiShang]

By the end of 2013, more than 1.44 million overseas Chinese students had returned to China, with returnees in 2013 five times the number in 2008.

Brain regain! A huge chunk of China's overseas talent schemes aims at the compatriots.

 

[Yizhi]

Brain regain! A huge chunk of China's overseas talent schemes aims at the compatriots.

yep. the headhunting game in academic fields is really hot now, just in my university i see lots of these returnee professors who help improve the quality of teaching and research. some of them were very successful figures in US that i wonder what my school had promised them....

 

[TaiShang]

yep. the headhunting game in academic fields is really hot now, just in my university i see lots of these returnee professors who help improve the quality of teaching and research. some of them were very successful figures in US that i wonder what my school had promised them....

Are most of the returnees experts on hard (natural) sciences?

That's my observation. The 100 and 1000 Talent Programs seem to be particularly geared towards hard sciences.

A disadvantage for people like me (a social scientist) but clearly reflects China's drive for scientific/economic development.

 

[bolo]

Brain regain! A huge chunk of China's overseas talent schemes aims at the compatriots.

Yup. More overseas Chinese in science and engineer will help push China's innovation to a new level once they return. In the next decade or so most scientific breakthrough, especially in medicine will come from China. Too bad my field is too fraudulent to help with China's growth.

 

[Yizhi]

Are most of the returnees experts on hard (natural) sciences?

That's my observation. The 100 and 1000 Talent Programs seem to be particularly geared towards hard sciences.

A disadvantage for people like me (a social scientist) but clearly reflects China's drive for scientific/economic development.

i think so, at least in my field.
but it's not just about those experts, young scholars are coming back too. they are not that prominent but they do cover all realm, including social science. universities are flooded with all kinds of returnees now, which could be a disadvantage for homegrown people like me....

 

[bolo]

i think so, at least in my field.
but it's not just about those experts, young scholars are coming back too. they are not that prominent but they do cover all realm, including social science. universities are flooded with all kinds of returnees now, which could be a disadvantage for homegrown people like me....

You have an advantage ..your command of Chinese language will be better than them. I'm sure the program is geared towards cream of the crop? Not just any bloke.

 

[Infra_Man99]

For the future of China, it is very important that it is attractive to foreign talent.
Just look at the United States, you would almost believe that you are in an Asian University in any top science program there. They attract talent, and heap heavy rewards. China should work hard, not only to reduce brain drain, but attract the already lost talent, and finally attracting fresh talent.

The USA has major problems with ethnic conflicts. America's ethnic conflicts seem to be getting worse over the next few decades. China has an overpopulation problem that requires a very long-term solution.

China should acquire foreign knowledge, but not keep the foreigner. China should use more overseas Chinese talent, but China should also use more international real estate and natural resources.

 

[TaiShang]

The USA has major problems with ethnic conflicts. America's ethnic conflicts seem to be getting worse over the next few decades. China has an overpopulation problem that requires a very long-term solution.

China should acquire foreign knowledge, but not keep the foreigner. China should use more overseas Chinese talent, but China should also use more international real estate and natural resources.

I think China does not have an overpopulation problem.

A bigger number of people does not necessarily mean overpopulation.

As a matter of fact, as it develops across the board, China is becoming less populated, hence the need to revitalize natural demographic growth.

But I agree: The ethnic problems in the US (as well as in other developed Western nations) might serve a drive for a surge in the number of returnees.

Also, greater benefits at home might prove to be a major point of attraction.

It is only natural that China would like to regain most of the lost domestic brain power rather than recruiting foreigners.