The Chinese measure, announced in August, stands in stark contrast to recent US policy, with the Trump administration suddenly introducing new and expensive changes to its own skilled worker visas last month.
China's new K visa significantly simplifies the immigration process for those eligible, according to state media.
"Against the backdrop of some countries retracting, turning inward, and sidelining international talent, China has keenly seized this important opportunity and promptly introduced this policy," state newspaper People's Daily said in a comment piece on Tuesday.
In contrast to many other visa categories, the K visa does not require a domestic employer or entity to issue an invitation to the applicant.
"K visas will offer more convenience to holders in terms of number of permitted entries, validity period and duration of stay," state news agency Xinhua reported in August.
The official description for those able to apply is "young foreign scientific and technological talents", but the exact age, educational background and work experience requirements needed are as yet unclear.
Xinhua said visa-holders will be able to "engage in exchanges in fields such as education, culture, and science and technology, as well as relevant entrepreneurial and business activities".
Across the Atlantic, the US tech industry has been rattled by unexpected changes made by the Trump administration to the H-1B visa procedure.
H-1Bs allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills --- such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers -- to work in the United States for three years, with a possible extension to six.
Such visas are widely used by the tech industry, but the new H-1B visa policy now requires a one-time $100,000 fee.
Indian nationals account for nearly three-quarters of the permits allotted via a lottery system each year.
The People's Daily article on Tuesday pushed back at what it called "strange rumours" around the new visa creating "immigration problems" in China.
"The so-called "immigration crisis" will not materialise, we should have cultural confidence," it said.
US widens reach of export blacklist to cover subsidiaries
Washington (AFP) Sept 29, 2025 -
The United States is widening the reach of its trade blacklist, making it harder for subsidiaries and affiliates of certain companies to access American products -- a move set to hit Chinese businesses, among others.
The change relates to parties on the so-called "entity list" that face restrictions obtaining US items and technologies without government authorization.
Under the new rule, subsidiaries that are at least 50 percent owned by one or more listed entities will also be automatically subject to the list's restrictions.
While the shift under the Commerce Department's notice posted Monday is a broad move affecting global companies, it will likely have a notable impact on those in China, given that Washington has targeted many China-based entities in recent times.
The latest rule is set to take effect Tuesday, but companies can submit comments or make temporary modification requests.
The US move, however, comes as Washington and Beijing are in the midst of trade and economic talks over tit-for-tat tariffs and other issues.
The "entity list" takes aim at companies and others deemed a risk to US national security or foreign policy interests.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that Beijing has taken note of this development, calling it a "malicious" act that infringes upon enterprises' legitimate rights.
The official added that the rule is "yet another typical example of the United States overstretching the concept of national security and abusing export controls."
China will take necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of its companies, the spokesperson said.
In recent years, US officials have been concerned over the use of American tech to enable Chinese firms, as competition between the world's two biggest economies heated up.
The Department of Commerce's notice said the latest shift aims to "address diversion concerns," such as the formation of new foreign companies to evade restrictions.
Current standards exclude entities that are not specifically placed on the "entity list," regardless of their affiliation with targeted companies, Monday's notice said.
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