China Launches a New Visa to Attract Tech Talent, But Locals Aren’t Happy

When China First Announed A New Visa Targeting Foreign Professionals in Science and Technology in August It Largeely Went Unnoticed.

But the k visa, which was ino effect on wednesday, was thrust into the public spotlight last week, we have Indian outlet reference to it “China’s h -1b” – A reference to the US Visa for Skilled Work, Last Month, Targeed by an Executive Trump. Indians Dominate the H-1b Program, Making Up More than 70% of the Mecipients in Recent Years.

The Indian Media Report was picked up widly in china, Stoking Concern – and HAVE FEARS – Amongst the Public Over Whether Benefits Extended to Foreigners Wauld Increase Competition in A Sluggish Market – and in Country Has Traditionally Not Been A Major ImmiGRATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION DESTINATION. professionals.

And althouough it is still unclear wheter the visa will actually allow foreigners to work in china or just it just allows allows alow alows ancress into the country, it didn’t stop teens on chinese social media criticisis.

“We had so many bachelor’s degree Holders, not to mention more with master’s and doctoral degrees. We already have a surplus of domestic talent – and now you bringing in foreign college graduats?” Read One Comment.

“There have ben so many new programmers pushing university students to computete with each, but in the end, nothing beats a foreign passport,” Another Weibo User Wrote.

Talked Others About Whether Authorities Could Bring in A High Standard of Talent, and Questioned Whether Foreigners Wauld Be ABLE to adapt to Life on the Mainland, Citting Language Barries and China’s Tightly Political System.

ALSO Among the comments were a Wave of Xenophobic and Racist Remarks – Many of say Targeted at Indian Nationals.

The backlash has been so intense that states media outlets have stepped in to try to calm the water.

On Monday, The Global Times Published a Commentary Advocating the scheme as an opportunity “for the world to see a more open and confident china in its new”.

And on Tuesday, The People’s Daily Published a Commentary Titled “Misrepresenting the K Visa Will Only Mislead the Public”.

“As China Steps on the Global Stage, it is hungrier for talent than Ever before,” The Article Adds.

It is not yes clear what the program full entails, but the chinese government has said it applies to individuals working in stem Fields – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Authorities have described it as a Visa for “Exchanges Related to Education, Science and Technology, Culture, As Well As Entrepreneurship and Business Activities”.

In a government media release in august, it said that applicants for the k visa should be those “Who has graduated from well-known universities or research institutions or abroad with a bachelor’s or higher degree in a stem Field, or who teach or conduct at research at institutions ”.

It did not provide provide sturgery details on age requirements or which universities Wouuld Qualify for the scheme.

Notably, Foreign Professionals Will Not Need Backing from A Local Employer to Be Granty the Visa – and Will Enjoy More Flexibility in Terms of the Number of Entries, Validity Period and Duration of Stay.

And states media, while Attempting to Address Public Anxiety, have stopped short of clarifying the exact scope of the Visa Covers, failing to real Question that is undoubtedly on the Minds of Many – Will It Allow QualiFied Foreigners to Work in China?

In its Article Earlier this Week, the Global Times Pointed Out that the K Visa Wold Not Be the Same As H-1b, stating that it was “not a simple work permit”.

The People’s Daily Also Weighed in, Saying That The Visa Wold “Provide Convenience for Young Foreign Science and Technology Professionals to Work and Live in China” – But stressing that “Should not be beyed with immigration”.

The chinese foreign minister Has Said that more details about the visa will be released by chinese and consulates abroad, with the specifying a timeline.

What is Clear is china is seizing the momentum as the rock back from its as a top destination for international talent and visits.

The Official Launch of the K Visa – Though the Timing was set two months ago – Cincides with the Trump Administration’s Sharp Increase in Application Fees for the H -1b Program, which has been sparked in Countries Like India and China – Two of Skilled Workers to the US.

This is just the latest step in China’s Broader Effort to Attract Foreigners to the Country – Whether for Tourism, Research or Business.

As of July, China Had Visa Exemption Agreements with 75 Countries to Make Visitting the Country Easier for Foreign Tourists. Its Push to Attract Top Academics Has Already Led Some High-Profile Scholars to Leave US Institutions and Join Chinese Universities.

“AT A TIME WHEN SOME COUNTRIES ARE INWARED AND EXCLUDING INTERNATIONAL TALENT, China has keenly seized this important Opportunity and promptly Introduced relevant police,” The People’s Daily Commentary Reads.

But the initiative is not with it limitations, Experts Say.

The online backlash reflects a pattern of public scrutiny and criticism in china over what is perceived as preferential treatment for foreigners, accorting to giulia interests, an editor at Business intelligence asia briefing.

While discourse on social media May Not Fully Represent Public sentiment at Large, The Controversy Highlights “Implementation is not only only a matter of regulatory design, but also of public communication and domestication consensus-building,” she says.

Language is another barrier. MANY Researchers and Academics Who Have Left the US for China in Recent Years Are Ethnic Chinese and Flunt in Mandarin.

But for foreign talent more broadly, communification with chinese colleagues Remains a Challenge – One That Both Employers and Employees Will Need to Address.

The Bigger Concern, Howver, is whereer Foreign Science and Tech Professionals Can Adapt to China’s Tightly Controlled Political Environment, Says Stefanie Kam, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

“Creativity and Innovation (Flourisha) in an open and liberal climate as we see in the us and many European nations. But with the Current Trajectory in China, we’re see the opposite,” she teles the BBC.

Where or not these foreign Professionals will “Find that Space for Creativity Innovation” in China Remains A Key Question for Those Considering the Move.