Exclusive | Shadow agents in China’s talent war help recruit outstanding overseas scientists to boost self-reliance
- A growing number of talent agencies are using low-key methods that stay firmly out of the spotlight in their global search for scientists
- China has been working hard to lure back outstanding talent in its push for science and technology self-reliance
This is particularly beneficial for domestic companies, according to one agent, as they often have trouble searching for overseas talent, on top of the fact some high-level positions are not publicly advertised.
With more than 10 years’ experience, the agent, who asked not to be named, told the Post such agencies began to grow in number after the launch of the Thousand Talents Plan (TTP) in 2008, which is regarded as the most prominent initiative to bring leading global scientists to China.
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And despite growing geopolitical tensions, she said the agencies have thrived even more since 2018, when over the course of four years the US government prosecuted scientists with Chinese backgrounds who it accused of economic espionage.