An aerial view of the Xiamen FTZ. Photo/Xiamen Daily]
The Xiamen Free Trade Zone exudes an international character. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), it has focused on attracting, developing, retaining, and deploying talent — creating a strong synergy where talent and industry grow hand in hand.
Breaking barriers to bring in more talent
Eligible professionals at the Xiamen FTZ apply for talent visas for travel to Hong Kong and Macao. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
The Xiamen FTZ has introduced two comprehensive talent management regulations, focusing on key industry needs and empowering businesses to take the lead in talent recruitment. These policies have benefited nearly 10,000 professionals during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
It pioneered talent endorsements for travel to Hong Kong and Macao, easing mobility for high-level professionals. The foreign talent service center and international returnee base serve as a welcoming hub for global talent. Through its "whitelist" mechanism, it has helped bring in over 10 foreign specialists.
Bridging Taiwan Strait to build a shared home
At the Taiwan Business Development Service Center, the "One Window for Both Sides" initiative provides Taiwan compatriots and businesses with full-cycle services — from employment to operations. The center handled over 900 service requests during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
It also launched a cross-Strait maritime talent cultivation program, offering Taiwan compatriots a full pathway from training and certification to employment.
Empowering platforms to align talent and industry
The Xiamen FTZ is home to global aviation maintenance leaders such as Honeywell. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
Competitions are a key strategy for Xiamen FTZ. Events like the first embodied intelligence competition have created an incubation ecosystem combining tech innovation, competitions, funding, and infrastructure — drawing top global projects and teams to Xiamen.
The zone pioneered professional title reforms in Fujian for industries like aviation maintenance and integrated circuits, focusing on performance and capabilities over traditional credentials. To date, 1,542 professionals in aviation maintenance and 147 in integrated circuits have received certifications — creating a skilled, well-structured talent pool for key industries.