Just as President Trump is making it much more expensive for American companies to bring in skilled foreign workers, China is rolling out a plan to welcome them.
On Oct. 1, China will launch a new type of visa designed to make it easier for graduates of top universities in science, technology, engineering or mathematics to travel to China to study or do business.
The new visa category is part of China’s broader campaign to attract top scientific talent as it vies with the United States for technological and geopolitical dominance. China’s visa was announced a few weeks before Mr. Trump moved to impose a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for skilled workers.
As the Trump administration has attacked universities, slashed federal research funding and questioned scientific authority, China has invested vast sums into research and development. It has also lured some top scientists in the United States to positions in China.
It is far from clear how much the new K visa, as China’s visa is called, will affect the race for talent. Beijing has yet to release details about the program, including who will be eligible or whether they will be allowed to take up formal employment. And while foreigners with special knowledge have long been eligible for other types of visas to enter China, albeit with more paperwork, it is difficult for foreigners to immigrate to China permanently.
But the gesture alone may help position China as becoming more open to the world, while the United States appears to be closing itself off.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The post As Trump Tightens Visas, China Woos World’s Science Graduates appeared first on New York Times.
