Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Recently,MK socks the acclaimed Chinese-American mathematician Lin Huaxin left the US and returned to China for a full-time research position in Shanghai. This reflects a growing trend among global scientists choosing China, as the country, with its stable policies and strong research capabilities, extends a welcoming embrace to top global talent.

As a top academic who lived in the US for nearly four decades, Lin's decision is not an isolated case. In recent years, an increasing number of top Chinese scientists, including nuclear physicist Liu Chang, physicist Gao Huajian, computational physicist Chen Hudong, computer scientist Quan Guocong, AI expert Huang Tingwen, and geometer Sun Song, have chosen to return to China for career development.

"This trend is the result of China's growing advantages in scientific research, coupled with scientific talent's rational decisions to seek better development opportunities. It is a two-way effort," Sun Xihui, an associate research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

China's stable policies consistently support, encourage and respect science, innovation, talent, knowledge and labor. "Sci-tech innovation" was a key theme repeatedly emphasized during the just concluded 2025 two sessions. Under a nationwide atmosphere that fosters innovation, China has been improving its support and guarantee mechanisms for attracting overseas talent, strengthening high-level research institutions, providing ample research funding, and promoting interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations. From basic research to cutting-edge exploration, China has paved the way for global scientists to reach new heights in discovery and innovation.

In the US, however, under the pretext of "national security," Washington has unsettled the field of scientific research. The notorious "China Initiative," though now officially terminated, has left Chinese researchers with lingering suspicion, unease and chills — like a Damocles sword hanging ominously over their heads.

It is not only Chinese-American scientists who are affected - uncertainty within the US research system is causing a broader community of scientists to lose confidence in building their careers there. Mathematician and physicist John Carlos Baez remarked that his best option was to "get a job outside the US."

"The US' tightening policies on scientific talent, particularly regarding Chinese-American scientists, are making its research environment increasingly restrictive and stifling," Lü Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. For many Chinese-American scientists, the dream of advancing their research in the US has been met with unfair scrutiny, restrictions on participation in core projects, and even baseless accusations. Facing mounting pressure, many are reassessing their career trajectories and turning their attention to China, a country that is more open, inclusive and full of opportunities.

A South China Morning Post article from last November analyzed the decisions of multiple researchers and identified a common factor - China's rising academic power and its base of young talent.

Over 5 million - that is the number of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) graduates China produces each year, the highest in the world. Around 50 percent - this is the proportion of the world's leading AI researchers trained by Chinese universities, also ranking first globally. Today, China ranks first in the world in terms of the size of talent pool, human resources in science and technology and the total number of researchers - its "talent dividend" is a major draw for top scholars.

For leading scientists making groundbreaking theoretical contributions, young scientific talent plays a critical role in translating theory into practice and driving further innovation. According to the 2025 government work report, young scientists and engineers should be given strong support and important responsibilities. At present, China is channeling more financial and policy resources into talent development, fostering a virtuous cycle that enables continuous breakthroughs in innovation and cutting-edge technology.

China and global scientists are now engaged in a two-way pursuit. The country, which urgently needs top scientific talent to support its high-quality development, offers vast opportunities for researchers. The arrival of world-class scientists not only propels theoretical breakthroughs but also accelerates the commercialization of research, fueling innovation-driven development. Whether they are Chinese-American scientists or outstanding researchers from around the world, China warmly welcomes them to help shape the future of science and technology, fostering global progress through collaboration and shared success.