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3h ago

At Least 85 U.S.-Based Scientists Have Moved to China Since 2024

U.S. policy shifts are pushing researchers toward Chinese programs offering state-backed support.

Robot players compete in the AI-powered robot football match in Beijing earlier this year.
New undergraduate students arrive at the campus of Beijing's Tsinghua University last August.
Spectators in Beijing gather around a case holding lunar rock and debris collected by a mission of China's space program, seen here on display in 2021.

Overview

  • More than half of the documented moves occurred in 2025, spanning fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, biotechnology, mathematics, and nuclear physics.
  • Recent U.S. measures include proposed research budget cuts, tighter oversight of foreign talent, visa backlogs, and a new $100,000 H‑1B fee announced last week.
  • Chinese universities are offering higher pay, guaranteed funding, and targeted recruitment, reinforced by official messaging that presents the country as a stable platform for research.
  • Many departures involve foreign-born scholars, especially Chinese nationals returning to senior roles, with recruiters in eastern China reporting a surge in applications.
  • The outflow has raised concerns about U.S. competitiveness in strategic technologies, while other countries such as South Korea and the U.K. are exploring moves to attract displaced talent.