China recently rolled out a new visa program designed to attract bright young minds in science and technology. The government proudly presented this initiative as a bold stride towards cementing its position as a global scientific leader, envisioning an influx of top talent from across the world.
However, for many within China, this move was seen as a grave error.
Leading up to and following October 1st, the intended launch date of the visa, online discussions erupted in outrage. Critics accused the government of prioritizing foreigners and ‘stealing’ jobs from Chinese citizens, especially as local youth face unprecedented difficulties in securing employment. A deep-seated resentment towards the perceived ‘blind worship’ of foreigners resurfaced, fueling the anger.
Influential figures online further fanned the flames of nationalism and xenophobia, warning that China risked being ‘overrun’ by outsiders. When Henry Huiyao Wang, president of a Beijing-based research group, spoke positively about the new visa, he was swiftly branded a ‘race traitor’ on social media, with his detractors’ posts garnering thousands of shares.
Racist comments specifically targeting Indians surged across online platforms after Indian media reported on China’s visa as a potential alternative to the popular U.S. H1-B visa, which now carries a substantial $100,000 fee.
The intensity of the backlash compelled the Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, People’s Daily, to publish an editorial. It dismissed criticisms as “outlandish” and accused opponents of deliberately misleading the public. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the nationalist Global Times tabloid, also weighed in, defending the policy in a video by stating that China had fewer foreigners compared to Japan or South Korea.
“Frankly, the issue isn’t too many foreigners coming to China,” he asserted, “but rather, not enough.”
This public uproar suggests that China faces significant challenges in its quest to attract the world’s leading scientists, even at a time when the United States has reduced research funding, prompting many prominent scholars to consider opportunities elsewhere.
In recent years, anti-foreign sentiment has been on the rise in China, fueled by government warnings about hostile foreign powers and calls for citizens to report potential spies. Historically, China has seen very low levels of immigration, and substantial cultural and legal hurdles still deter foreigners from seeking long-term residency.
A similar public outcry in 2020 forced the government to backtrack on proposals to slightly ease permanent residency requirements for foreigners. For context, People’s Daily reported that China issued fewer than 5,000 permanent residency cards over a decade, between 2004 and 2014.
Even in its defense, the People’s Daily editorial was careful to reassure its readers that while the new visa would facilitate the entry of young scientists, it “cannot be equated with immigration.”
Adding to the confusion, it remains unclear if the visa would even grant work rights, or merely permit business and educational “exchanges,” as initially stated by state media. Despite the passed launch date, specific eligibility criteria have not been released. Officials have only indicated that applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from a top university.
The challenging job market for China’s youth has been a growing concern for years, exacerbated by the nation’s slowing economic growth. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has emphasized that job security is crucial to maintaining social stability. Official figures released in August revealed that youth unemployment had reached an unprecedented high.
“Everyone I’ve met, across all professions and age groups, agrees: jobs are incredibly scarce,” remarked popular manga author Feng Xi Shen Lei on social media. “Considering China’s vast talent pool, I simply don’t believe any position in any field absolutely requires a foreigner.”
Another point of contention among commenters was the visa’s requirement for only a bachelor’s degree. Many young Chinese feel compelled to pursue advanced degrees to stand out in a fiercely competitive job market.
In reality, it’s unlikely that foreigners arriving on these “K” visas would directly compete with the majority of unemployed young Chinese citizens.
This disconnect stems from a fundamental mismatch in China’s labor market. While sectors like real estate and education, traditional employers for many graduates, are struggling, critical fields such as advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence face a severe shortage. The Ministry of Education reports that China needs tens of millions more qualified professionals in these high-tech areas.
Despite producing the highest number of science and technology graduates globally, these professionals constitute a smaller percentage of China’s overall workforce compared to many Western nations.
Denis Simon, former executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan University and a proponent of enhanced U.S.-China scientific collaboration, suggested that clearer guidelines on visa issuance could alleviate public anxiety. However, he emphasized that Beijing’s underlying message remains a strong desire to attract more foreign expertise.
“This initiative is a crucial part of the broader, long-term reforms necessary to attract high-caliber talent,” Simon stated.