China continues opening up to Western expat talent

China’s plans to open up the Yangtse River Delta is expected to provide even more opportunities in the region for expat professionals.

Over the past decade, China as an expat destination has blossomed into an exciting, forward-looking and amazingly welcoming land of opportunity, especially for those with tech talent. Whilst other Asian countries with the exception of Singapore and Hong Kong are still highly suspicious of expat expertise, China has opened its arms to Western talent and given incomers all the help they need to realise their dreams.

The further opening up of the vast delta region will result in its becoming easier for expat access and allowing more permanent residency for foreigners as well as upgraded cultural, educational and medical care for those living and working in the region. China’s intention is to offer itself as a role model for business environments including a financial sector and international banking hub. Opening up the area to foreign investors is expected to be just one aspect of China’s latest pilot zones for its new policies.

How the scheme will benefit Western expat professionals has yet to be set out but, given the welcome already laid out in Shanghai and other regions across the vast country, it’s expected to be good news. From being closed to the rest of the world for decades to its present position from which it welcomes expat talent in many sectors including tech, its further opening up is guaranteed to increase its popularity with qualified professionals in many diverse specialities.