Employers from an e-commerce company introduce themselves to two foreign jobseekers. [Photo/Binjiang district]

Hangzhou is rolling out new talent policies to better attract and retain foreign professionals, strengthening its push to expand cross-border e-commerce and digital trade globally.

In Binjiang district, a Thai livestream host named Sherry has become a standout example. Fluent in both Chinese and Thai, she joined a local company in 2025 and quickly achieved monthly sales of 2.5 million baht ($72,646). Her local market insights have also supported multiple projects in Thailand with annual transactions exceeding 10 million yuan ($1.45 million).

Her success reflects a broader institutional shift. Facing a shortage of foreign livestream hosts — with demand exceeding 6,000 but supply under 100 — Hangzhou has moved to streamline talent recruitment. Previously, companies faced lengthy processes in talent certification and visa applications.

In 2025, Binjiang introduced a comprehensive evaluation system, easing requirements on academic qualifications and work experience while recognizing roles such as livestreaming and e-commerce operations. A new recommendation-based pathway, combining corporate referrals with expert and government review, further aligns talent selection with market needs.

To improve efficiency, the district also launched a digital service platform integrating talent recognition, internships, visas and recruitment into a one-stop system. Since its launch, application materials have been reduced by 40 percent, with 38 foreign professionals certified in 2025 alone.

As these reforms take effect, foreign talent is becoming a key driver of Hangzhou's going global strategy, powering the city's ambition to become a leading hub for digital trade.

Foreign investors learn about policies in Binjiang. [Photo/Binjiang district]