Beijing offers $29,000 for fresh skills

By Meng Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-06 10:14

Chaoyang district is offering individual cash bonuses of 200,000 yuan ($29,000) in an attempt to attract high-quality overseas talent.

Huang Bo, an official at the central business district overseas talent center in charge of the application process, said the district wants to attract 100 international professionals to the district over the next five to 10 years in its Phoenix Plan.

Huang said the center has already received some applications but declined to reveal details.

He said they will now start reviewing applicants and will announce the successful candidates by the end of the year.

Zhang Xiaowen, vice-director at the organization department of the Party's Chaoyang district committee, told METRO: "Some people sent applications from abroad while others entered China and completed them here. Since we haven't started our examinations yet, we can't predict how many will apply."

The project wants professionals under 55 with at least an overseas masters degree. They should also have held key positions at renowned international organizations or worked as professors of famous overseas universities.

Successful candidates will be granted a one-off financial reward of at least 200,000 yuan. In exchange, they need to work in Beijing for at least six months. And for those wanting to set up their own businesses, Chaoyang district will offer between 100,000 and 500,000 yuan in financial support as well as preferential policies like paid accommodation.

Zhou Weiying, a spokeswoman for the Beijing overseas talent center, said the Beijing government set up a large project to attract overseas talents and the Phoenix Plan is just one part of it. Their current problem lies in publicity and promotion, she pointed out.

Zhou said: "Overseas students, scholars and other talented individuals are scattered across many different countries and it is very difficult to reach them all."

"We are trying to contact overseas universities, student unions and embassies. It will take time," she added.