Chinese expert advises learning from the US how to attract tech specialists — South China Morning Post
In China, Li Minbo, deputy dean of the Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, said that the country should study the United States’ experience in attracting foreign specialists in order to remain competitive in the technology sector. This was reported by South China Morning Post.
According to Li Minbo, China should more effectively promote the new K visa category for young foreign specialists in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He noted that the country does not have an immigration system specifically adapted to the needs of high-tech industries.
Technology immigration
Beijing seeks to become a technological superpower by 2035 and considers young personnel one of the key elements of this goal. In its new five-year plan for 2026–2030, China pledged to create an immigration system for high-tech talent, as well as attract and develop outstanding specialists from around the world.
K visas, introduced last year, provide simplified conditions for entry, residence and employment for young STEM specialists without the need to have a local employer or an inviting organization. Li Minbo said that China needs specific technical specialists and could attract engineers and mathematicians from Ukraine, Russia and Iran through a technical immigration mechanism.
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Barriers for foreigners
According to the 2020 census, 845,000 foreign nationals lived in mainland China, accounting for 0.06% of the population. By comparison, as of June last year, there were 52 million immigrants in the United States, or about 15% of the country’s residents.
In December, Li Minbo and another researcher at the institute submitted a proposal for a unified identification system for foreign visitors and residents. It envisages data exchange between agencies and platforms and the use of a permanent unique identifier instead of a passport number, which changes after a document is renewed. In the authors’ view, this could facilitate access to banking services, housing, transport and work.
The analyst also proposed standardizing English-language signs in public places and adding English-language interfaces to ride-hailing and navigation apps. At the same time, he warned that policies aimed at attracting foreign specialists could face resistance from public opinion.
