China’s Talent Drive: Reshaping Global Science from Within

China’s talent recruitment programs have significantly reshaped its scientific landscape by attracting thousands of overseas researchers back home with generous funding and career incentives. Nan Liu, a materials chemist, transitioned from a postdoctoral role in the U.S. directly into a full professorship at Beijing Normal University through the Thousand Young Talents Plan, one of China’s flagship recruitment schemes.

Over the past thirty years, these initiatives have lured back scientists who now hold influential positions in academia and policy, bolstering China’s global research presence. According to Lili Yang from the University of Hong Kong, returnees have notably improved research quality and impact.

Despite their success, China’s talent recruitment programs have also triggered criticism among local researchers who remained in the country. Many feel disadvantaged compared to returnees who receive generous funding, fast-track promotions, and greater visibility. This perceived inequality has led to growing frustration within academic institutions and sparked debates about fairness and long-term sustainability.

Since the 1990s, China has introduced numerous national and regional initiatives, offering returnees millions of yuan in research funds, housing subsidies, and fast-track promotions. By 2018, estimates suggest over 16,000 scientists and entrepreneurs had returned under these schemes.

However, as global tensions rise, especially with the United States, some programs like the Thousand Talents Plan faced scrutiny, prompting China to rebrand it as the High-End Foreign Talents Plan.

Research into these initiatives reveals mixed outcomes. While returnees often publish more and maintain global networks early in their return, their international visibility and collaborations tend to decline over time. This suggests limitations in sustaining long-term global impact, despite initial productivity.

Nevertheless, returnees have helped elevate China’s research ecosystem. In 2023, over 70% of heads of national projects and university presidents were returnees. They not only lead key scientific projects but also serve as bridges between China and the global scientific community.

Opportunities for new recruits have become more competitive as academic positions fill up. While early participants benefited from generous autonomy and resources, recent returnees face stiffer competition and longer career paths. As chemist Shaodong Zhang notes, joining under the talent program offered a crucial head start, but today’s environment is much tougher for newcomers.