Integration will bring opportunity for overseas talent

The integrated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will offer new opportunities for overseas returnees who want to start businesses in China, said officials from the three areas.

Yuan Fang, director of the Beijing Overseas Talents Center, said the capital is trying to attract more high-end talent from overseas to work in Beijing or to start their own businesses there. Each will get 1 million yuan ($166,000) as a one-time payment.

Pan Yanjun, from the Tianjin Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, said Beijing and Tianjin are complementary in overseas talent recruitment.

"The development zone of Tianjin is now facing industrial transformation," said Pan, division chief under the administration. "We hope overseas talent can settle down and bring in high technology. They can have headquarters in Beijing and make their production line in Tianjin."

Pan also said that Tianjin has "better" policies to attract talent and offers rewards for innovative talent. "If talent registered a company in Tianjin, they can also get subsidies for renting a workplace," Pan said.

Chen Weiguo from the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Hebei said the newly constructed high-speed railway is expected to help talent in the Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin region to commute.

"Last February, the brief meeting for the integrated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei set the goal of integration of transportation," said Chen. "The high-speed railway from Baoding in Hebei to Tianjin is expected to operate by October or the end of this year. From Shijiazhuang in Hebei, it will only take half an hour to reach Tianjin."

Xiong Xiaoge, vice-president of the US venture capital firm IDG, has invested in nearly 400 companies. He said that of the 400 companies, more than 100 have headquarters in Beijing.

"Many people came a long way to start a business because of their Chinese dream," said Xiong. "So my suggestion is, if you really want to do something in China, Beijing is the best choice you have."

Chen Xiaoming, managing director of Beijing Yuntouhui Internet Technology, said the gap between Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province is narrowing.

"Before, the opportunities were still in Beijing even though Tianjin and Hebei province are just steps away," said Chen. "Now Beijing is facing a crucial period of industrial restrictions. Industry is transferring to neighboring Tianjin and Hebei province, so the integration of development is an inevitable choice.

"This also helps to optimize resource allocation and sharing, which means more opportunities for overseas returnees to start businesses in China."

suzhou@chinadaily.com.cn