BEIJING: As the US-China trade war has fully engulfed the entire globe, attracting skilled workers from other countries has become one of the biggest challenges. However, the United States and China are moving in opposite directions on this issue, with the former restricting immigration while the latter opening new opportunities.
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On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, termed “cross-border flow of talents” as “instrumental in global technological and economic advancement” in a globalised world.
“China welcomes talents from various sectors and fields across the world to come and find their footing in China for the progress of humanity and career success,” he added.
However, the spokesperson refused to comment on “the Trump administration” raising “the application fee for first time H1-B visas to $100,000” as part of a wider crackdown on immigration.
US-CHINA TRADE WAR
The contrast in the US and Chinese approaches to deal with the same issue is remarkable. It is because of the need to please the far-right base and fulfil the promised agenda which makes President Donald Trump to go ahead with the extremely tough immigration policies.
China too isn’t traditionally not open to immigration and has been following a policy more or less similar to that of other Asian giants like Japan and South Korea.
However, the US-China trade war has changed everything. With the United States closing its doors to both skilled and non-skilled workers, other nations have a great opportunity to snatch the very talent that enabled Washington to build an economic empire.
Earlier in August, China announced it would issue a new type of visa — a K visa– to young science and technology talents entering the country, with the amended regulations coming into effect on October 1.
Read more: China lures science, technology talent amid US immigration crackdown