Visitors read at the Dayin Bookmall in Lin-gang, which is the area's first cultural reading space. CHEN LI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Population growth

The expansion of industries and new businesses, coupled with economic dynamism, has propelled Lin-gang's population from 440,000 in 2019 — when it was upgraded to become part of the Shanghai FTZ — to over 600,000 today.

The government's efforts to attract fresh talent to the area have also played a big role.

Over the past five years, Lin-gang has issued 1,110 work permits for expatriates and approved permanent residency for another 79 foreigners. Overseas returnees have set up 270 companies in the special area.

From July 12, Lin-gang took the initiative of issuing China's first e-visas. With the entire application process completed online, a digital visa can be issued within three days.

An e-visa is valid for a single entry, with an entry validity of 15 days and a period of stay not exceeding 30 days.

Yang Wu, deputy director of the human resources department of Lin-gang Special Area Administration, said such measures can help overseas professionals set up businesses and conduct trade.

Ye Wei, head of the port visa office at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, said they had worked with the Lin-gang administration to keep records for 1,300 companies to help with their future needs. Similar initiatives are expected to eventually be implemented outside Lin-gang, he added.

Over the past five years, Lin-gang has attracted more than 97,000 professionals. Over 27,000 new talents have settled in Lin-gang in the first seven months of this year, a 41 percent year-on-year increase.

A total of 1,132 companies have registered for the online job market launched by Lin-gang administration in early 2023, which has detailed over 8,000 job opportunities and received 146,200 resumes.