Tianjin Seeks to Attract Overseas Chinese to Set-up in the City

To accelerate the influx of young people of outstanding talent into Tianjin, the city has rolled out multiple incentives for overseas Chinese students to return to start their own businesses.

The initiative outlines 18 features, including financial aid, the development of incubation platforms, talent recruitment events and a favorable business environment.

Eligible individuals can apply for personal entrepreneurship loans of up to 300,000 yuan ($42,000), and small or micro-enterprise loans of up to 4 million yuan. Promising enterprises may receive up to 300,000 yuan, while start-ups will be awarded 200,000 yuan. Selected projects under the entrepreneurship support plan can secure up to 1 million yuan in additional funding.

The measures also recognize the importance of entrepreneurial hubs in fostering innovative, high-tech enterprises. They propose annual rewards of up to 500,000 yuan for these hubs, along with a one-time 300,000 yuan subsidy for setting up postdoctoral research workstations. The aim is to strengthen key platforms like returnee entrepreneurial parks, innovation consortiums and postdoctoral workstations.

An official from the Overseas Students Pioneer Park of the city’s Global Startup Center said, “We provide businesses with a better environment for R&D, office space, communication and exhibition, as well as life support services, allowing them to focus on growth.”

Additional initiatives include talent recruitment events, innovation competitions and streamlined applications for key national and municipal talent projects. These measures offer professional title applications, government allowances and social insurance benefits, ensuring returnees are exempt from future worries.