How China manages economic-stream migration: The new points scheme

Abstract

Recently issued legal documents suggest a fundamental overhaul of the Chinese immigrant-selection system. Based on an analysis of laws and regulations, policy documents, scholarly literature and expert interviews, we argue that the new points system and the distinction between different categories of foreign nationals so far serve mainly symbolic functions, such as signaling stricter control of immigration. The new points system emphasizes skills levels and the current productivity of immigrants rather than long-term developments, such as demographic change or the accumulation of human capital for future innovations.