BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Timothy Tian, CEO of SF Technology, recently made a trip to the United States to recruit talent for his company.
"While working here, I felt that mostly I was enjoying the benefits of technology. But in China, I feel that I am using technology to make a difference to people around me, and that is amazing." said Tian, who returned to China six years ago after two decades in the United States.
Tian repeatedly referred to the strong sense of accomplishment of working in China, which struck a chord with many audience like Leo Zhang, a data engineer with a robotics start-up in Silicon Valley.
"Many friends briefed me about rapid changes in the tech sector, when I went home for Chinese New Year a few months ago. I was really impressed. Returning to China for a new career and life is worth a try," Zhang said.
SF Technology is one of five Chinese companies involved in LinkedIn's recruitment campaign for artificial intelligence professionals, with over 800 members registered for the event.
"This is the seventh joint overseas recruitment campaign for China-based firms. We see growing interests in overseas-trained professionals and for Chinese working overseas to return to China," said Linda Wang with LinkedIn China.
LinkedIn China has helped about one hundred Chinese firms find staff from overseas, especially those with expertise in AI, data analysis and cloud computing.
The clients used to be mainly big fish like Baidu and NetEase, but now start-ups and traditional sectors are also interested, Wang added.
China's growing appetite for overseas professionals has helped the raft of "sea turtles" -- Chinese returning to the country after studying or working overseas -- who are in even higher demand.
The returnees picked up significantly in 2012. Over 2.3 million Chinese who graduated overseas returned to China in the past five years.
A report from the center for China and globalization showed that China is facing the biggest wave of returnees since 1949. The bright prospects for the domestic economy and stable society were the top reasons for returning alongside family and culture factors.
"China is developing so fast and that is the biggest draw for them," Wang said.
Local governments also want overseas professionals. Emerging cities like Chongqing, Wuhan and Chengdu have partnered with LinkedIn to bring more professionals from abroad.
"It is a rather good time to return now. Come back to China and visit Shenzhen or our company. See for yourself what is happening and what is driving things there," Tian said.
