Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, will give foreign professionals favorable policies in applying for entry-exit visas and residence permits, reports the Qianjiang Evening News.

Foreign entrepreneurs who bring in projects in line with the city's industrial orientation can be awarded a startup subsidy of up to 5 million yuan (nearly $800,000), with the maximum subsidy capped at 100 million yuan for especially outstanding projects.

For foreign students who choose to work in Hangzhou, master's graduates are to be granted a living subsidy of 20,000 yuan and PhD graduates 30,000 yuan. Those working at post-doctoral research institutes are to be entitled to an additional 20,000 yuan subsidy.

The city also plans to enhance social security services for foreign talent by establishing 10 schools for children of foreign workers by 2022 and building a batch of international residential communities.

Hangzhou is not the first city in China moving to try to lure global talent. Many other first-and-second-tier Chinese cities have come up with talent policies.

Beijing has created steps to attract more high-level foreign talent, including lifting controls over the recruitment of global talent, easing procedures for their registration and allowing them to bring their own domestic servants.

Yunnan Province is offering a new visa valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, or 180-day stays for a single entry for high-end foreign talent.

The city of Qingdao in Shandong Province reportedly plans to hire foreign employees in government departments and public institutions.