According to Reuters, China has quietly revamped its recruitment program for elite foreign-trained scientists, offering perks including home-purchase subsidies and signing bonuses of 3 to 5 million yuan, or $420,000 to $700,000. China operates talent programs at various levels of government, targeting a mix of overseas Chinese and foreign experts. Reuters reports that the newest version of the national Thousand Talents Program (TTP) is a program called Qiming. It is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, according to national and local policy documents, online recruitment advertisements, and a source with direct knowledge of the matter who, as with others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the issue’s sensitivity. The investment in science and technology is for the goal of China self-reliance.
China’s focus on attracting top technology talent comes as President Xi Jinping emphasizes China’s need to achieve self-reliance in semiconductors regardless of U.S. export controls. The US Commerce Department restricts US citizens and permanent residents from supporting the development and production of advanced chips in China, among other measures. Experts point out that China places particular emphasis on the value of basic research, also described as fundamental or pure research―meaning scientific investigation conducted to expand knowledge and understanding in a particular field without any focus on immediate or specific application. Although basic research may not have immediate practical application, it serves as the foundation for applied research and technological advancement. Here is an opinion piece we found of interest relating to China’s pursuit for technological self-reliance.
China’s Quest for Self-Reliance Risks Choking Innovation
In an opinion piece “China’s quest for self-reliance risks choking innovation” for Financial Times, Yu Jie, senior research fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, a British think tank, discusses the impact of the White House’s latest push to curb US investments in selected Chinese tech companies which underscores the escalating tech war between Beijing and Washington. Although China is intent to find a path to scientific self-reliance, the country’s success in science and technology are a direct result of frequent exchanges and connectivity with the scientific community globally. According to Yu Jie, China has invested ample resources into advancing its ambitious science and technology agenda. In addition, Beijing has made clear that it will richly reward people who can create jobs in the innovation sector and will protect their patent rights.
Yu Jie reports that Chinese science graduates are increasingly favoring civil service jobs, viewing them as a better route to financial security than making chips or designing aircraft engines. She argues that although Chinese leaders may be pleased to see young talent looking to win party or government positions, they need to be aware of the implications for scientific and technological innovation. She adds that as political institutions attract the best and brightest, they may do so at the expense of research institutes and tech startups. Read more on Financial Times.
Disclosure: Fatty Fish is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
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