Return of the Prodigals

People’s Daily February 27

With China becoming an increasingly powerful player, the flow of global talents is undergoing changes, with more and more Chinese students studying overseas choosing to come back to China.

The large number of overseas Chinese students rushing back reflects China’s strong attraction. As a world engine for economic growth, China boasts one of the best innovation environments for startups. Also, while some countries are imposing tighter control on the entry of overseas talents, China is opening up more than ever to welcome them.

The past century showcased a number of returned overseas Chinese students who made great contributions to China’s growth and prosperity. China’s overall development is thirsting for talents. That’s why when it opened up to the outside world in the late 1970s, one of the priorities was to send a large number of people to study overseas. Today, the relevance of highly qualified returned students to national development is greater than before. When human capital has become a key resource to be chased around the world, how to attract talents and tap their potential is an urgent question. Sometimes, after some talents are employed on a high salary, they can’t find the right position where they can fully play their role. These issues are expected to be addressed during future reforms, so as to encourage talents’ creativity. The best way to retain talents is to create a friendly environment where they want to devote themselves to work.