Official: Shenzhen to Become International "Immigrant City"

Source: OT-Team(AFJ)

On October 11, 2020, according to the Xinhua News Agency, the pilot implementation plan for deepening comprehensive reform in Shenzhen was released by the Central People's Government of PRC, which clearly stated that Shenzhen should establish an international talent introduction system and become a mature international high-end talent gathering center. Per the announcement, the specific measures include formulating the standards for identifying "top-notch" foreign talents, relaxing the restrictions on entry-exit and residence permit of foreign talents, and facilitating the processing procedures of R-visa for foreign personnel, etc.

The Announcement Issued by the Central People's Government

To Build International "Immigrant City"

Based on the implementation plan, Shenzhen will take the lead in setting up an internationally competitive talent recruitment system across Guangdong to attract more expats to take up employment here. Below are some visa facilitation policies.

• Grant Shenzhen the authority for foreign high-end talents' confirmation letter, according to the procedure;

• Optimize the examination and approval process of work permits and work-type residence permits for foreigners coming to China;

• Formulate the standards for the identification of foreign talents with "top-notch" skills;

• Facilitate the processing procedures of R visa and entry-exit for qualified foreign personnel;

• Provide convenience for qualified foreign high-end talents to apply for permanent residence;

• Support the exploration and establishment of a highly convenient practice system for overseas professionals;

• Relax the restrictions on foreign personnel (excluding medical and health personnel) to participate in various vocational qualification examinations.

Per Lezheng, an expert from the State Council, Shenzhen has always been a city of immigrants, but it is not yet an international immigrant city. It is still a less mature center for international foreign high-end talents. In this regard, the gap is very obvious compared with the international innovation cities. Therefore, Shenzhen must strive to achieve a major breakthrough in the integration and promotion of international scientific research talents, institutions and universities before 2035.

High-Level Openness

As per the State Council, Shenzhen, to become a comprehensive national innovation center, needs to achieve a higher level of openness in areas such as capital, law and medical care. The specific measures are as follows:

• Promote R & D and international cooperation of the digital currency electronic payment, and to carry out a pilot cross-border fund pool business for domestic and foreign currency integration;

• Improve the data property rights system and establish the data privacy protection system;

• Relax market access restrictions in energy, telecommunications, public utilities, transportation, education and other fields;

• Support the improvement of cross-border cooperation mechanisms in the field of the rule of law, and improve international legal services and dispute resolution mechanisms;

• Support qualified foreign-funded institutions to obtain payment business licenses in Shenzhen in accordance with the law;

• Further liberalize the supply market of bonded fuel oil;

• Explore and improve the cross-border connection of medical services, and establish a standard system of medical personnel training and hospital accreditation and accreditation that is in line with international standards.
  

Furthermore, all the above-mentioned measures shall be carried out properly before 2025.