China Rolls Out Its First Talent Visa as the US Retreats on H-1Bs

"In 2020, only about .1 percent of the mainland population was made up of foreigners, according to one estimate by researchers from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. That's roughly 1.4 million people in a country of more than 1.4 billion. In the United States, by contrast, 15 percent of the population is made up of immigrants. Even other East Asian nations, like Japan and South Korea, are home to far more foreigners than China"

"Local companies operate in English, the language of global business. Colleagues and friends communicate through platforms like Gmail and Instagram, which are available in most parts of the world. And when it comes to creature comforts, H-1B recipients from India or China who land in San Francisco or New York will have no trouble finding restaurants (even good ones!) that serve food that tastes like home."

"In China, however, newcomers must navigate a corporate landscape that operates largely in Chinese, a language few foreigners study in grade school or while pursuing a STEM degree. The country's tech ecosystem is also totally unique. New arrivals face not only an unfamiliar language and culture, but also a suite of unfamiliar programs and apps, most notably WeChat. Better Reputation"

China's foreign resident share is extremely small—about 0.1 percent of the mainland population, roughly 1.4 million people in a population exceeding 1.4 billion. By contrast, immigrants make up about 15 percent of the U.S. population and other East Asian countries host relatively larger foreign populations. The United States offers easier adjustment through English-language workplaces, global platforms like Gmail and Instagram, and plentiful ethnic restaurants. Newcomers to China face predominantly Chinese-language corporate environments, a distinct domestic tech ecosystem centered on apps such as WeChat, and unique cultural norms. Perceptions of China as a leading economic power are rising in several countries.

Read at WIRED