Beijing has eased procedures to allow highly qualified foreign talents and experts to work in the city, according to a report by China Daily.
The Chinese capital is the second city in the country to do so after Shanghai, and experts say other cities like Tianjin will follow suit.
On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Ministry of Public Security announced a pilot policy that will enable foreigners to enter and stay in the capital for work.
The pilot policy consists of 20 new measures that target various groups of foreigners: foreign students in the capital, high-end foreign professionals, foreigners working for entrepreneurial startups in Beijing, and overseas Chinese from foreign universities who started businesses in the capital.
The policy will be first implemented in Zhongguancun, Beijing's high-tech hub, home to over 20,000 companies. The measures will take effect on March 1.
Officials say that the pilot policy is geared toward the development of Zhongguancun and to effectively meet the capital's demand for a national science and technology innovation center.
The Center for China and Globalization, a think tank, is part of the group that came up with the policies. According to its director, Wang Huiyao, the policies are a success.
Because of the policy, overseas Chinese with doctoral degrees obtained in other countries will be given permanent residency. Meanwhile, foreigners who have been working for companies in Zhongguancun for four years will also be given a permit.
"The threshold will be lowered for overseas Chinese and high-end foreign talent, which is definitely a real benefit for them," said Wang, who also serves as the president of the South China Global Talent, in an interview with China Daily.
Visitors, on the other hand, are allowed to stay in the capital visa-free for 144 hours. According to Wang, six days is ample time for visitors to accomplish their business in Beijing.