Welcome mat thrown down to attract young professionals

Chengdu releases new policies to allow university graduates seeking jobs in the city to stay at 22 hostels for seven days for free. Provided to China Daily

In the biggest Chinese cities a hukou is generally very difficult to obtain.

Under the plan, full-time university graduates could apply for a hukou in Chengdu. Qualified professionals who work for one company for more than two years could apply for a hukou, too.

Xie Pengxin, born in Hunan, a doctorate graduate from Peking University, received a hukou in Qingyang district.

It was upsetting to face a choice between expensive cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen or Guangzhou, she said. In the end the new policies encouraged her to move to Chengdu.

Chengdu has a rich culture and history, excellent academic environment and excels with its strong human resources support, she said. The city's physical beauty and its food also attracted her.

"The enthusiasm and efficiency of the local administrative officials showed me Chengdu is really keen on attracting talented professionals."

In the next five years, Chengdu said, it plans to build 350,000 apartments for newly arrived talented professionals.

Construction of the first batch of buildings began this month.

Qualified professionals who have rented apartments covering about 650-1,230 square feet for five years will have the opportunity to buy them.

For internationally leading professionals who start up businesses in Chengdu, the government said it will provide a maximum of 100 million yuan ($14.9 million).

The city will allocate a special fund of up to 160 million yuan to provide free job training.

It has also promised to reimburse the cost of taking the exams to gain occupational certificates.

For universities and colleges that plan to adjust their curriculums to coordinate with emerging sectors, the government said it will provide up to 20 million yuan.

For enterprises that plan to collaborate with Chengdu's higher learning institutes, the government said it will provide up to 5 million yuan in subsidies.