Thanks to the efforts of the city government in attracting new talents in recent years, Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province, has cut loose from the worldwide economic downturn and maintained a GDP growth of 8 percent in 2017 and 7.4 percent in 2018.

Manpower as first priority

A government official introduces local enterprises to investors and entrepreneurs in Changchun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To promote the transformation and upgrading of economic development from being investment-driven to innovation-driven, the Changchun government decided to regard talents as the cornerstone of the city's economy. A series of supportive policies have been launched to provide comprehensive services for investors, researchers and entrepreneurs.

According to incomplete statistics, the city's annual investment in bolstering manpower has reached up to nearly one billion yuan ($145.6 million) in recent years.

Appeal to local and foreign talents

A government official elaborates on talent-related policies to investors, researchers and entrepreneurs in Changchun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Changchun boasts considerable industrial advantages and continues to make efforts in attracting the best brains to the city. More than 360,000 skilled laborers have gathered in various pillar industries of Changchun, including the auto manufacturing industry, the petrochemical industry and the railway vehicle manufacturing industry.

The city has also invited academicians and specialists from home and abroad to help tackle the problems encountered by local enterprises.

A number of 2,000 overseas returnees and foreign talents gravitated to the city via various platforms built by the city government. The convenient exit-entry services have helped reassure foreigners with a suitable environment to settle down and start businesses.

Bonuses to stimulate innovation

Cutting-edge technologies are presented to investors, researchers and entrepreneurs in Changchun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A wide range of bonuses and allowances have been set up by the Changchun government to reward various types of talents since 2017. A number of 2,496 specialists in high-end technologies are expected to receive a total amount of 48 million yuan ($7 million).

Innovation-oriented enterprises in Changchun have also reaped benefits for introducing skilled employees for the local development.