China’s new K visa for foreign science and technology professionals is more than just an administrative change. It signals a bold attempt to reposition the country as a global talent destination at a time when traditional magnets like the United States are recalibrating their immigration policies. The new visa’s design ~ flexible entry terms, absence of employer sponsorship, and eligibility for graduates of reputed STEM institutions ~ reveals a clear strategic intent: to pull in skilled individuals who might once have gravitated to Silicon Valley, Boston, or London.

Yet, this ambition is colliding head-on with domestic realities. What might appear as a rational talent-acquisition policy to outsiders has triggered a wave of anxiety within China. A sluggish job market and record youth unemployment have created a combustible environment where any perceived preferential treatment for foreigners is bound to meet resistance. Online reactions have been swift and sharp, reflecting both........

© The Statesman