Foreign expert gives thumbs up to Wuxi's talent policy

Peter Grabau, an engineer originally from Denmark receives award as member of the Chinese government's "Thousand Foreign Talents Program". [Photo/wxrb.com]

A prominent member of Wuxi's expat community has given the city high praise for its treatment of foreign talent.

Peter Grabau, an engineer originally from Denmark, first moved to the city in Jiangsu province in 2012 as part of the Chinese government's "Thousand Foreign Talents Program" launched the previous year to attract overseas talent to work in China's developing high-tech industries.

Grabau has made a huge contribution to industry in Wuxi since arriving five years ago, leading research and development efforts into designing more efficient blades for wind turbines. His work has helped his employer gain more than 40 patents.

The Chinese government recently recognized his achievements by awarding him the prestigious Friendship Award, the highest honor a foreigner can receive in China given only to those who have made outstanding contributions to the country's economic and social development.

The Danish expat has been equally impressed by the treatment he has received from the Chinese and Wuxi governments, and on June 5 he presented a banner to the Wuxi City People's Council expressing his gratitude.

"Since I came to China in 2012, I have deeply felt the country's humane care for foreign professional talent and I have also grown to love this beautiful city deep in my heart," Grabau told reporters at the presentation ceremony. "I hope to continue to work in China and apply my skill to more research and development."

Grabau said that he had been impressed by how smoothly he had been able to gain foreign expert certificates and residence permits, and was particularly appreciative toward local officials for helping him gain a Chinese "Green Card" giving him permanent residence rights.