Forty years after beginning its reform and opening up, China is now looking to overseas Chinese for talent to help sustain the country's unprecedented growth. 

Premier Li Keqiang mentioned in the government work report to the National People's Conference (NPC) that China will adopt more effective policies for bringing back talent from overseas. These policies would make sure overseas professionals are able to use their strengths to the fullest.

On Monday morning, the State Council’s Information Office unveiled detailed plans. Tang Tao, a human resources vice minister, says the ministry will work with 25 government bodies to lure back overseas professionals. 

At the top level, the ministry of human resources introduced more than 30 documents to improve the policy system, regarding exit-entry administration, social insurance, taxation, intellectual property protection and many more areas. They have also organized an expert committee to give overseas Chinese students all-around guidance for starting businesses back in their homeland.

China also has launched projects to give returnees a better understanding of market conditions. This includes the "Thousand Talents" entrepreneurial platform and events for sharing innovative ideas. And the government will provide services to make it easier for overseas Chinese students to settle down and start their own businesses. Outreach efforts are underway to make sure the word gets out about these programs.

For instance, the People's Bank of China and the ministries of finance and human resources, promote guaranteed loans for start-ups. Others, such as the Intellectual Property Office, are lowering the threshold for intellectual property financing, raising the amount of financing, and extending the deadline of financing. Taking the urban residency household registration as another example, the government will simplify the certification requirements and procedures for overseas Chinese students to obtain residency. 

From 1978 to 2017, 83.73 percent of overseas Chinese students, which is a considerable 3.132 million, had chosen to come back after completing their studies aborad. In 2017 alone, the number of returning students reached 480,900, increasing by 11.19 percent from 2016. 

There are now 351 entrepreneurship parks nationwide, home to more than 23,000 companies and attracting 86,000 overseas returnees. Chinese leaders say the nation will continue to roll out incentives for overseas talents to return and work in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

Given the changing international environment and tightening visa rules in countries like the USA, how China accommodates outside talent could make a big difference, providing intellectual support for the country's development.