The Yantai high-tech industrial zone in Shandong province has an ambitious plan to attract high-caliber people from China and abroad to improve its work in research and technology.
It reached an agreement with Beihang University's Science and Technology Park, a pioneer in attracting overseas students, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Mechanics, and five other organizations to give it support.
It is looking for 10 science and technology leaders who meet both national and international standards.
This is in line with China's 1,000 Talented People Program, which takes effect in 2009, to attract skilled overseas Chinese or foreigners to universities and research institutes here.
They are expected to hold high degrees and have extensive R&D experience in the service industry and manufacturing, according to zone officials.
Sound infrastructure
The Yantai zone has geographic advantages and natural beauty and is the economic engine of this coastal city.
It has flat terrain and faces Japan and South Korea across the Yellow Sea.
This location gives it immense potential in a marine-related economy and developed industries, which are Shandong's main business areas.
In fact, the State Council, in January 2010, called the Shandong peninsula a pilot zone for the marine-related economy. And Shandong has made a great effort to become a hot spot for investors from all over. This gives Yantai a great development opportunity.
Favorable policies
The program to attract talented people comes with some attractive offers, including startup funds, human resources support, financial services, and free accommodation.
In the area of funds, the zone has allocated 100 million yuan to help qualified people start their career, and another special fund of 100 million yuan to help them with innovations.
It is working with the CCB Principal Asset Management Co Ltd to set up an investment fund for the city's marine-related economy.
The initial amount is 100 million yuan, which will be used to encourage talented people who hold intellectual property rights or have done significant research to start their career.
In the area of government support, the Yantai government will provide credit guarantees for enterprises to ensure that they have adequate financial support.
For anyone renting or building offices and factories, the government will have a 3-million-yuan provision.
There is also human resources support for innovators. Qualified personnel have access to 5 million yuan in research and development subsidies.
Those who have received the National Technology & Invention Award or the National Science and Technology Progress Award can qualify for a 1-million-yuan reward or a 500,000-yuan reward.
Anyone who is elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering while working in the zone will get a 200,000-yuan reward.
Anyone who is seen to have contributed greatly to the nation will receive a 100,000-yuan reward.
The holder of a patent recognized abroad will qualify for 30,000 yuan in assistance, and 5,000 yuan for each patent approved in China.
Innovation-oriented teams with high-level results can qualify for 50 million yuan in financial assistance.
There is 5 million yuan in financial assistance for new national labs in the zone, as well as 2 million yuan for engineering technology research centers, 1 million for enterprise technology centers, and 500,000 for post-doc work-stations.
In the area of accommodations, if talented people buy a house, they can get a provision of 1 million yuan, and if they rent they can get 2,000 yuan monthly for five years.
The government will also arrange a job for the applicant's spouse, or they can get a 2,000-yuan monthly subsidy for one year. Their children will also get favorable policies in selecting a school.
Other assistance
The zone's management committee is committed to building an ideal residential area with sound working and living conditions.
There will be special teams that offer a full range of services, for example, in registration with the Administration for Industry and Commerce and for other help.
There will also be professional medical teams on hand to provide medical care.
A training and tutorial system will be available to help people from overseas adjust to daily life in China.
(Source:China Daily)
