Headhunters drafted to search for talent

One Thousand Foreign Experts Project aims to spur innovation

International headhunters are being called in to work alongside officials on the government's talent import programs as they seek the best talent from around the world to work in China's top industry sectors.

China started a recruitment program of global experts in 2008, aiming at attracting about 2,000 overseas professionals to the country's key innovative projects, key subjects and laboratories, high-tech industrial parks and State-owned enterprises and financial institutions.

The One Thousand Foreign Experts Project, which the government launched late last year, plans to invite 500 to 1,000 high-end non-Chinese foreign professionals from other countries over the next decade to help promote innovation and scientific research.

Besides those, each province, municipality and autonomous region has started their own plans to introduce overseas professionals to help with local development.

Overseas professionals recruited by the programs will be entitled to financial subsidies and favorable visa, taxation and wage, residence, medical care and insurance policies.

The 'One Thousand' project, for example, awards each foreign professional a subsidy of up to 1 million yuan ($157,000) from the central government and scientific researchers can get a 3 million to 5 million yuan research allowance.

One international company now working closely on the initiatives is US-based Silk Road, whose co-founder Chauncey Kupferschmid told China Daily at an overseas talent introduction forum in Beijing on Monday that interest in the Chinese market is high.

"It's a big interest for headhunters to tap into that market. I think it's a continual challenge on everyone's part to brand and sell the message the country provides to global talent."

Kupferschmid said the Chinese government has given a clear message to global candidates that it is not only about opportunities for the high-end professionals themselves, but also about opportunities for their family and children, and about lifestyle.

"It is more than just a job," he said. "They ask, 'can I be successful and can my family be happy here in China?'"

Kupferschmid said his company with more than 3,000 clients in 75 countries - has already had candid discussions with Chinese authorities and will continue to look for ways to create partnerships to help introduce ideal professionals to China.