On September 28th, the Foreign Talent Research Center of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced the results of the 2023 "Charm China – The Most Attractive Chinese Cities for Foreign Talent" event, revealing the Foreign Talent Attraction Index for Chinese cities. Xiamen has ascended into the top ten, moving up one spot from its 2022 ranking.
The "Charming Chinese Cities" themed event is recognized as the sole authoritative ranking of Chinese cities for attracting talent and intelligence, based entirely on votes from foreign talents. In the recently released 2023 Foreign Talent Attraction Index for Chinese cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Nanjing, Chengdu, Xiamen, Haikou, Chongqing, Dalian, Ningbo, Kunming, Xi'an, Changsha, Changzhou, Hefei, and Jinan have been ranked among the top twenty cities.
Xiamen is not only recognized as the "Most Attractive Chinese Cities for Foreign Talent," but it has also been named "China's Best City for Talent Attraction" for three consecutive years. According to the data, Xiamen currently boasts a talent pool of 1.63 million individuals, including nearly 20,000 high-level professionals. Among these, 59,000 international talents have been attracted, with 3,380 recruited in 2023 alone.
In recent years, Xiamen has actively pursued initiatives to attract international talent. These efforts encompass the establishment of an online portal dedicated to global talent acquisition, the creation of an offline international talent network, the development of various international exchange platforms, the hosting of numerous competitions and events, and the fostering of a convenient living environment for international professionals. These measures continually enhance Xiamen's ability to connect with global talent resources. Xiamen, an increasingly international city, is at the forefront of establishing a talent evaluation system that aligns with global standards to attract foreign professionals. By implementing new policies such as foreign talent assessments, recognizing international professional qualifications, and creating entrepreneurship and employment bases for international students, Xiamen is opening up new avenues for foreign talent to work and reside in the city.
In June 2021, Xiamen released the Notice on the Pilot Program for Assessing the Professional Techniques and Skills of Foreign Talent. According to the notice, individuals who have obtained a master's degree and possess at least three years of professional technical experience are eligible to apply for recognition at an intermediate professional technical level. In 2023, Xiamen once again led the province by unveiling the International Professional Qualification Recognition: Title Equivalency Catalog, featuring an initial batch of 50 international professional qualifications. The policy stipulates that individuals who acquire relevant international professional qualifications abroad can have their corresponding professional titles recognized in Xiamen. In November 2023, Xiamen took the lead once again by issuing the Xiamen City International Professional Qualification Recognition Catalog (2023 Edition), hereafter referred to as the Catalog. This comprehensive document covers 75 international professional qualifications across 14 industries. Foreign professionals with qualifications listed in the Catalog can use these credentials to apply for a work permit in China. The specific category of foreign talent will be determined based on these qualifications, and the work permit may be issued for a maximum duration of five years. When applying for a work permit, foreign professionals are not limited by their educational background, degrees, or work experience. The age requirement may be relaxed, and their international work experience can be recognized as equivalent to domestic experience. Additionally, Xiamen has pioneered the establishment of a "one-stop service" window for work and residence permits for foreigners, making it the first of its kind in the entire province. This initiative significantly enhances convenience and streamlines the process for international talent seeking to relocate to Xiamen.
Xiamen is intensifying its initiatives to attract international talent. This year, Xiamen has bolstered its "Island of Egret Attracting Talent from Five Continents" initiative to draw in overseas talent. As part of the enhanced and optimized "Double Hundred Plan," the city is offering financial support of 5 million yuan to top innovators, including academicians, who commit to working full-time in Xiamen. This initiative aims to cultivate international talent in innovation and entrepreneurship. During Talent Service Month, numerous international talent cooperation projects were unveiled, and several platforms for attracting and nurturing global talent were established, bringing world-class innovation and entrepreneurial resources to Xiamen.
Sharing Opportunities, Shaping the Future Together. Xiamen, a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, warmly invites you to come and stay.
