Zhang Huiming, a biochemist, landed a job at the Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences last year after doing his PhD and completing his postdoctoral research in the United States.
He was hired under the Hundred Talent Program to do research in rhizobacteria but when he signed up he had no idea of the bureaucratic obstacles that awaited him.
"I had never expected the troubles I experienced trying to get my daughter into a local primary school," Zhang told Shanghai Daily.
To enroll his child in a local school, Zhang needed a local hukou, or permanent residency permit. Since he was born in Fujian Province, and his daughter in the US, he was told he would have to apply for one there and then get it transferred to Shanghai. That turned out to be a six-month process — too late to enroll his daughter.
"In the end, thanks to my employer and the local government, the problem was solved and I could devote all my attention again on my research," Zhang told the paper.
Though Zhang worked and lived with his family in Songjiang, his employer was registered in Xuhui, making him ineligible for the special talent treatment in Songjiang.
The Center for Plant Stress Biology, a national research institute, in Songjiang District sought the help of the local district government. Waivers were obtained and his daughter was enrolled into a school.
"We took special steps because he is a member of an important national research team. And he actually is a Songjiang resident now," said Zhang Jun, an official with the Songjiang talent affairs office.
Making life easier for talented professionals from home and abroad is a key policy as Shanghai works to become a global center for scientific and technological innovation. The city has introduced 20 policies to attract talent, and district governments are following that lead with their own versions.
"We were drafting new policies when Zhang's plight came to our attention," said Zhang Jun. "It reinforced the fact that children's education is very important to the talent we help recruit."
Songjiang's new set of policies came into effect this month. The district has set up two funds to aid the policies. A 200-million-yuan ($31 million) fund will be used to support "outstanding" talent. Another 500-million-yuan fund will be used to help finance innovative startup companies in the district.
In addition, office rents will be subsidized for "incubator" projects that bring start-up technology companies to the district, and housing subsidies of up to 1 million yuan will be available for their families.
Songjiang is not the only district to introduce these new policies. Minhang announced its own set of 21 new measures last week.
Minhang said innovative professionals and budding entrepreneurs listed in China's Thousand Talent Program will receive grants up to 3.5 million yuan and 5 million yuan, respectively, if they work in Minhang.
Those listed on Shanghai's program will be eligible for up to 1.75 million yuan and 2.5 million yuan, respectively.
