HONG KONG/WASHINGTON- China has quietly revived its recruitment of foreign-trained scientists, previously conducted through the Thousand Talents Plan (TTP), now operating under a new program called Qiming.

This move is part of China's strategy to bolster its technological capabilities, especially in semiconductor technology. The recruitment drive offers lucrative incentives, including home-purchase subsidies and substantial signing bonuses.

China's talent recruitment efforts target both overseas Chinese and foreign experts, focusing on scientific and technological fields, including sensitive areas like semiconductors. Unlike its predecessor, the revived program, Qiming, operates discreetly and does not publicly disclose recipients.

The resurgence in China's efforts to attract tech talent comes as the nation faces a shortage of about 200,000 professionals in its burgeoning semiconductor industry. To address this, China's newer talent programs, like Qiming, primarily seek individuals with top-notch education from prestigious foreign institutions, particularly in the United States.

While this recruitment drive is aimed at fostering innovation, promoting talent mobility, and respecting intellectual property rights, it has drawn scrutiny from the U.S. The U.S. government has expressed concerns about intellectual property theft and technology acquisition through these programs.

Despite China's incentives, some overseas-trained Chinese scientists remain cautious about returning due to concerns about the country's political environment and their careers' international implications.

This situation reflects the complex dynamics and challenges China faces as it strives to advance its semiconductor industry while navigating international talent recruitment and geopolitical complexities.