The northeast China port city of Dalian has begun allocating portions of its 10 million yuan (about1.2 million US dollars) talent fund.

Few cities in China have such a fund, and none of them is as large as Dalian's.

Mayor Bo Xilai said that economic development today largely depends on technology and talented personnel, and the local government will allocate more to introduce talents into the city.

The fund will be used to attract talented people who have finished their studies abroad, provide academic exchange and professional training opportunities, aid scientific research projects, and improve the living conditions of those recruited, according to local officials.

China is in great need of a large number of qualified personnel in all economic sectors, while the limited scientific research environment and slow economic development in some areas has resulted in a lack of human resources.

Dalian intends to develop a growing pool of talent, the mayor said.