In the first half of this year, Qingdao in Shandong province attracted 126,200 professionals, including 55,800 young people who were arriving in the city for the first time — a 9.6 percent year-on-year increase. It also welcomed 1,073 returning overseas graduates, up 12.8 percent from the previous year.

Central to this success is the "city talent partner" initiative. Aiming to build a market-driven, diversified talent acquisition system, the program mobilizes universities, agencies, and industry leaders to attract talent across key sectors including artificial intellgence, the marine economy, digital economy, and biomedicine.

Underpinning this, Qingdao has created a comprehensive support system. The "Qinggang Youpin" online platform has released over 20,000 quality job openings tied to Qingdao's "10+1" innovation-driven industrial system. This year, more than 550 young people have also joined internship programs at 179 graduate internship bases, with 3.9 million yuan ($577,980) in subsidies distributed so far.

For young entrepreneurs, Qingdao offers one-time startup subsidies of up to 12,000 yuan, rental exemptions of up to three years at incubation bases, and collateral-free guaranteed loans of up to 200,000 yuan with full interest subsidies. The "entrepreneurship companion" program provides ongoing mentorship and resources.

To address housing needs, the city offers up to 12 months of rent-free accommodation for recent graduates. In addition to this, it provides housing subsidies of up to 1,200 yuan per month and one-time settlement allowances of up to 150,000 yuan for doctoral graduates.

With its "1+1" policy combination and supportive ecosystem, Qingdao is proving itself a city where young talent can thrive and build their careers.

From job matching to housing support, Qingdao builds a full-cycle ecosystem to attract and retain young talent. [Photo/Guanhai News]