China seeks to attract foreign talent

The Chinese State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs has announced new measures to attract foreign talent by getting rid of considerable boundaries, which consequently will make foreigners able to get easier access to the Chinese research programs and educational institutions.

Current Situation in China

There are currently several barriers that prevent foreigners to engage in full Chinese household participation, one of them involves some restricted political reforms for “experts” and scientists to enter China. During the announcement, Gao Xiang said that bureaucracy, lack of transparency on current policies and the Chinese language boundary are the main reasons that prevent foreigners to start a career in China.

“In China, even if some foreign talents can apply for research project funds, they must submit papers in Chinese. This is a disadvantage for them”, said Gao.

China’s bureaucracy is still far of an asset when it comes to attract foreign talent. The level of bureaucracy today, resembles the deep-rooted concealed system designed by Chinese lawmakers, yet with tedious times in the Chinese economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated firmly to Beijing’s policy directives to start carrying out well-reasoned policies and enforce them to increase Chinese collaboration with top foreign talent.

Between 2011 and 2015, 3 million foreign "experts" began working in China, an increase of 30 percent over the previous five years according to official statistics. Those numbers are likely to increase due to the measures the Chinese government is undertaking to stimulate its ability to attract talented individuals.

As economic growth stumbles, yet structural reforms progressing, the time has come for China to consider enhancing its attractiveness with global talents.

 More “Experts” and Scientists in China

Zhang Jianguo, director of the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs, said that China will boost its reforms to attract global talent in the next five years. This manoeuvre by Asia’s giant is great news for outsiders because it will create opportunities and talented foreigners will have access to previously restricted position.

"We will encourage establishing a recruitment mechanism within research institutions, colleges and universities that will take job applications from around the world, along with drafting a regulation to guide foreign experts to participate in national science and technology programs, as well as being leaders of important research projects”, said Zhang.

 Positive Impact on Foreigners

The prospective importance on further collaboration with foreigners, is just the start to reduce other political barriers and eventually increase the Chinese participation with foreign talent. According to CCTV, China plans to relax visa policies and to make it easier for foreigners to qualify for permanent residence in a bid to attract overseas talent and investment, along with developing a better social security system for foreigners, making them equal in benefits retained by Chinese citizens.

"We will also encourage foreign experts to participate in the selection of China's science and technology awards equally with their Chinese colleagues”, said Zhang.

In the end, China is indeed revising widely its policies for foreigners working in China and quickly modifying them. Don’t be surprised if in a couple of years or less, the employment policy mechanisms for foreigners will be a lot less restrained than they are today.