China needs US-style immigration policy to win tech rivalry with Washington: expert

China must emulate the US immigration model to attract top tech talent and compete globally, according to Li Mingbo, a public policy expert at the Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area. The country lacks a tailored immigration system for hi-tech professionals, and Li believes the US visa policies offer valuable lessons for China.

Conflict zones like Ukraine, Russia, and Iran are home to skilled engineers and mathematicians seeking safety and better opportunities, making it urgent for China to bring them in through a technical immigration pathway. China aims to become a tech superpower by 2035, and its latest five-year plan emphasizes establishing an immigration system for hi-tech talent and attracting outstanding global talent.

Since last year, China has introduced a K-visa category to streamline entry, residence, and employment for STEM professionals. The US, being a major rival, heavily relies on H-1B visas for hiring tech professionals, often leading to permanent residency. In 2020, only 845,000 foreign nationals were living in mainland China, while the US had 52 million immigrants.

A proposal submitted in December advocates for a unified identity authentication system, linking personal information to a permanent ID for seamless access to services. However, Li warns that domestic resistance to increased immigration could pose challenges, and top-level efforts to attract foreign talent must overcome public skepticism.