Shanghai issues green cards to Noble Prize winner and other talents

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Shanghai authorities issued Chinese permanent residence cards, a Chinese green card, to a Nobel laureate and five other foreigners on Monday, revealing the city’s further ambition to attract high-end foreigners.

Swiss scientist Kurt Wüthrich has become a permanent resident in Shanghai, along with five others including scientists studied in basic research, leaders in applied research and entrepreneurs in the city's key industries, according to Shanghai Observer.

The 79-year-old Wüthrich is the winner of Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002. He received his reward for developing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to help ascertain the size and structure of biological macromolecules.

Swiss scientist Kurt Wüthrich shows his Chinese permanent residence card at the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau on Monday. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau has simplified the procedure of foreigners applying for permanent residency. Applicants who are acknowledged by Chinese government and enterprises could apply online and obtain the card three workdays later.

Shanghai has gradually launched beneficial policies to lure global talents. Local government has introduced 25 Exit-Entry policies that have contribution to build the city a globally influential science and innovation hub since July 2015.

Swiss scientist Kurt Wüthrich gains his Chinese permanent residence card at the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau on Monday. /VCG Photo

Earlier this year, Shanghai launched a talent attraction plan, providing more welcoming atmosphere and better service to high-level talents. The plan specifically indicates seven conditions. Foreigners who have interest in moving to China could apply for permanent residency when they meet one condition, such as those whose annual salary and tax reach certain amount.

Of all the provincial-level areas in China, Shanghai has the highest number of foreign workers, with about 215,000 of the city’s 24 million people coming from overseas, according to Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau.

VCG Photo

China plans to set up the State Immigration Administration, as the number of foreigners working and living in China has been increasing, raising new requirements on immigration administration and services.

More than 900,000 foreigners were employed on the Chinese mainland in 2016, according to official data. In the 1980s, less than 10,000 foreign experts worked in the country every year.