Shenzhen needs to attract overseas talent to fuel Greater Bay Area’s hi-tech ambitions
- A new government plan will have Shenzhen implement flexible policies to attract highly skilled talent from around the world
China is addressing a potential hurdle to creating a global technology and innovation powerhouse in the Greater Bay Area by wooing talent – sourced from overseas and across the country – to work in Shenzhen, the country’s hi-tech capital.
It also outlined a range of hi-tech development initiatives, including the establishment of a comprehensive national science centre, strengthened basic scientific research, and flexible policies to attract and retain highly skilled talent from overseas.
“Policies to attract talent is an important wind vane [for the rest of China],” said Dong Xiaoying, a professor at Peking University's Guanghua School of Management.
Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong to the south, will set up talent acquisition and immigration processes that will cater to highly skilled overseas workers. Hong Kong and Macau residents who work in Shenzhen, for example, would be given “citizen treatment” to enjoy local social welfare benefits.