Human talent from overseas is in great demand to assist China in a variety of fields, according to a newly-issued document from the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel.

Foreign experts in demand include technicians, researchers, managerial personnel at middle and senior levels, foreign language teachers, university teachers, foreign language translators, interpreters and editors.

In order to promote personnel exchanges between nations and to explore the effects of human resources on the economy, the association has decided to hold an international human resources forum next April in Beijing, said Xia Bing, secretary-general of the forum's organizing committee, at a press conference on Tuesday.

Joining hands with human resources agencies of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Australia, the association expects the forum to be "a gathering of intellectual resources," Xia said.

Senior Chinese leaders, representatives from the United Nations, CEOs and human resources officers of the world's top 500 enterprises and other famous companies, presidents of celebrated universities, principals of top business schools and managers of human resources agencies from home and abroad will be invited.

They will discuss key issues in the cultivation, flow and use of expertise, and analyze trends and difficulties in the field of human resources management.

With the theme of "Attracting Global Expertise -- Partnership in Development," the forum will offer eight sessions, including face-to-face employment opportunities, Xia said.

China has been taking measures since 1980s to attract more foreigners to help the nation in different fields.

Statistics show that each year the mainland receives an average of 240,000 foreign experts who work in the fields of manufacturing, social service, education, culture, media, commerce, agriculture and other areas.

(China Daily November 20, 2003)