Shanghai has recently upgraded its list of recognized international professional qualifications as part of the city's efforts to align overseas certifications with domestic titles to create a more inclusive environment for global talent.

Many countries and regions throughout the world have established standardized professional qualification systems, recognized by industry associations, academic societies, and government bodies.

As overseas talent return to China and foreign enterprises collaborate more frequently with domestic entities, the demand for converting international professional qualifications into domestic titles is increasing, said Li Manli, an assistant researcher from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

Shanghai has bridged this gap by publishing its new list and establishing a mechanism to align more qualifications with domestic professional titles.

The first version of the list for recognized international professional qualifications, released last year, included three categories: A, B, and C.

The A-list comprised 48 qualifications, offering talent introduction, work permits, and housing support for certificate holders. The B-list had 15 qualifications, providing more comprehensive support measures. The C-list included 22 qualifications, allowing certificate holders to directly apply for corresponding professional titles in China.

To date, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has completed two batches of qualification recognition, with a total of 118 professionals from foreign-invested, private, and State-owned enterprises having obtained senior-level titles, including 27 Senior Engineers, 17 Senior Economists, and 74 Senior Accountants.

This year, to boost the development of key industrial sectors, the bureau has expanded its list, with the A-list now covering 111 qualifications. Among these, 22 qualifications are included in the B-list of urgently needed skills, and 33 qualifications are part of the C-list for professional title alignment.

Shanghai is not only attracting overseas talent but also supporting local enterprises in their global ventures. The newly introduced D-list facilitates mutual recognition of qualifications in fields such as construction engineering, finance, and human resources. This is achieved through methods like direct qualification applications, course exemptions, and exam reductions.

Source: Jiefang Daily