Fengxian to lure overseas talent

Fengxian plans to attract a number of top overseas professionals to work or start businesses in the district with preferential policies, the district government said yesterday.

The suburban district yesterday invited over 10 specialists from China’s Recruitment Program of Global Experts to an investment meeting and encouraged local investors to assist their startup projects.

These specialists, who are mainly from the artificial intelligence and health industries, can base their entrepreneurial projects in an innovation park meant for professionals in the global experts program.

They are invited to support the district’s development of its “Oriental Beauty Valley,” focused on the cosmetics and health industries, said Gu Yi, the deputy director of Fengxian. This project is meant to promote local cosmetic brands globally and help turn the city into Asia’s largest “beauty and health” industry center.

The district will offer a 60 percent discount on housing prices for overseas professionals who purchase apartments in Fengxian. The remaining housing costs will be covered by the district government and employers. They can also receive over 2,000 yuan (US$293) in monthly subsidies to rent an apartment, according to the district government.

A “talent apartment” in Nanqiao Town of the district also gives high-end specialists a place to live for free.

Professionals can also enjoy priority in children’s education and medical services. With a talent blue card, for instance, they can consult doctors or be hospitalized without waiting. They can also have a free annual checkup, said Chen Shuai, director of the district’s investment promotion bureau.

Fengxian established the city’s only entrepreneurship park for professionals in the global experts program in 2012. The park covering 13.8 square kilometers has attracted 68 overseas professionals and 71 entrepreneurship projects, said Chen.

“Fengxian will offer top-level services and an environment to attract more such top-level professionals,” said Gu.

China launched its global experts program in 2008 to lure overseas scientists, entrepreneurs and young specialists who can make key technological breakthroughs, develop high-tech industries and lead new scientific subjects.

Over 8,000 such professionals have joined the program. Many of them have been appointed as academicians at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said Fan Qun, deputy secretary general of the association for the program.