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China’s Covid-19 border restrictions ‘could drive away foreign talent’
- With many foreign workers unable to return to China, the talent pool may never fully recover, EU Chamber of Commerce in China says
- Entry restrictions are the top challenge cited by survey respondents, who also say forced technology transfer continued despite China banning it
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China risks a loss of foreign talent because of strict Covid-19 border restrictions, and it could harm growth, according to a survey by a major European business group.
Entry restrictions topped the list of challenges cited by respondents in attracting and retaining foreign talent, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said as it published its latest business confidence index survey.
Three-quarters of European companies operating in China said they still had foreign workers stranded outside the country because of travel restrictions prompted by the coronavirus.
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European firms also said forced technology transfer had continued despite China introducing a law banning it.
02:07
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Loss of foreign talent could have a long-term impact on China’s development because “many of those giving up on returning have deep knowledge of conducting business in China, something that replacements will take years to develop”, the chamber said on Tuesday.
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