A recent editorial in the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Communist Party, described the country as a “safe harbor” and “platform to excel” for scholars affected by what it called “reckless interference” from Western nations. Universities throughout China are quietly but actively reaching out to overseas scientists, offering positions, research funding, and a range of incentives to attract talent.
Lu Wuyuan, a protein chemist who moved from the University of Maryland to Shanghai’s Fudan University in 2020, observed a “clear surge in the number of job applicants from overseas.” He called China’s recruitment efforts a “gift from a perceived adversary” and emphasized that the return of overseas-educated scientists is becoming a strong and potentially irreversible trend.
Liu Jun, a Tsinghua University professor who retired from Harvard, noted that individual departments are taking advantage of current conditions to strengthen their teams. Universities are publicly advertising positions in robotics, artificial intelligence, and network security. Salaries are supported by dedicated research funds and matched national grants exceeding $400,000. Additional perks include housing stipends, family support, and priority access to research resources.
China is also targeting its commercial tech sector through initiatives like the Qiming program, focusing on semiconductors, AI, and quantum science. Recruitment efforts include special intake rounds and a new visa category, the K visa, for young science and technology professionals, effective October 1.
Although the United States has criticized these programs as potential channels for technology transfer, experts say the current wave of recruitment reflects China’s long-term strategy to strengthen domestic innovation. Observers predict sustained growth in both academic and commercial recruitment, signaling a shift in the global distribution of scientific talent.