Marketplace Tech “China’s H-1B” talent visa gets praise abroad and backlash at home
Oct 29, 2025
Jennifer Pak, Marketplace's Shanghai correspondent, discusses China's new K visa aimed at STEM graduates, facilitating research and entrepreneurship. This initiative comes as the U.S. tightens H-1B visa restrictions, pushing analysts to suggest a shift in global talent dynamics. However, within China, there's significant backlash as social media fuels xenophobic sentiments and fears over job competition. Pak sheds light on the intricate balance between attracting global expertise and addressing domestic concerns amid rising youth unemployment.
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China's New K-Visa Opens Doors
- China introduced a K-visa to attract STEM graduates for research and startups without requiring a Chinese sponsor.
- The move contrasts with U.S. tightening of H-1B and research funding, making China comparatively more open.
Media Contrast Sparks Social Buzz
- Indian media contrasted U.S. H-1B restrictions with China's K-visa after Trump imposed new H-1B fees.
- Those stories spread on Chinese social media and sparked visible backlash online.
Backlash Fueled By Job Anxiety
- The K-visa's publicity triggered nationalist and xenophobic reactions on Weibo fearing job competition.
- Chinese commenters framed foreign applicants as threats amid a brutal domestic job market.