(Photo/mps.gov.cn)

Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park has taken the lead in allowing innovative and entrepreneurial talents to obtain permanent residence by accumulating points in China, Thepaper.cn reported on Jan. 16.

Zhongguancun recently ended its points accumulation pilot program, with the first batch of 45 foreign workers receiving assessment recommendation letters. The point assessment work is mainly for foreign workers at startups and technical workers hired by enterprises in Zhongguancun Science Park.

Guo Hong, director of the Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park, pointed out that the policy focuses mainly on the development potential of startups, along with their growth effectiveness, team quality and structure, and foreign members' contributions. Meanwhile, the foreign technical talent assessment focuses on the working ability of talents who are hired by companies in Zhongguancun Science Park, evaluating whether or not their talents are urgently needed, and what their potential contributions would be.

Applicants with 70 points or more can get a recommendation letter and be granted a Chinese green card. The implementation of this merit-based point system means overseas talents have a new way of obtaining Chinese permanent residence.