The Evolution of China’s Foreign Talent Policy: the Case Study of Beijing

This paper aims to explore the evolution of China’s foreign talent policy (FTP) and the factors that contribute to those policy changes. Selecting Beijing as a case study, this paper explores Beijing’s FTP and divides it into three periods (1949–1978; 1978–2000; 2000 until now). It argues that at the point when the policy system becomes more institutionalized, more simplified measures are adopted. In particular, this paper applies a three-tier framework to detect the factors contributing to the policy changes as follows: (1) the deregulation of China’s scientific and educational systems, (2) emerging actors in the FTP institutional setting (Zhongguancun Science Park, private think tanks and social groups), and (3) market-oriented reform of the policy tools, e.g., China’s permanent residence system.