SZ boosts global talent hunt

Shenzhen will intensify its efforts to attract more overseas talent, who are crucial for driving innovation and serve as a core force behind educational and technological advancements.

An aerial view of Shenzhen. Sun Yuchen

This initiative was announced at a press conference held by the city government Thursday, the third in a series following the Central Government’s recent release of guidelines aimed at furthering comprehensive reforms in Shenzhen.

According to the conference, Shenzhen has consistently ranked among China’s top three cities in terms of talent attraction for four years in a row. The city has also topped the list as the most attractive destination for Gen Zers for two consecutive years. Furthermore, 920 Shenzhen scholars have been recognized among the top 2% of global scientists.

In its next move, Shenzhen will encourage global tech leaders and strategic experts in higher education, research, think tanks, and venture capital around the world to recommend talent to the city. Policies will be introduced to standardize the criteria and clarify procedures for recognizing overseas talent working in the city. It will also encourage innovative entities to  collaborate with partners worldwide and attract overseas talent.

The city will provide long-term and stable funding support for outstanding innovative tech talent with the potential to grow into heavyweight scientists. A prime example is Yan Ning, the founding president of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation. Within half a year, a state-of-art lab was established at the academy, with over 95% of its researchers directly recruited from overseas.

Yan Ning (6th L, front row), president of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, joins colleagues in celebrating the academy’s first anniversary in Shenzhen on Nov. 21, 2024. Photo from WeChat account “环球人物"

The city also vows strong support for young tech-innovation talent in the early stages of their development. 

The city is now home to more than 550 global technology entrepreneurs and has incubated nearly 70 hard-tech projects, with a total valuation of nearly 1 billion yuan.

Meanwhile, the city will boost the role and effectiveness of education in driving technological innovation, according to the conference.

The city now boasts 17 universities and plans to build more senior high schools. A total of 825,000 basic education seats have been added in the city in the past five years.

Data shows that the city’s senior high schools are expected to enroll 137,000 students this year, 9,000 more than last year.