This aerial photo taken on Aug 25, 2023 shows a view of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are proving to be highly competitive when it comes to attracting talent, thanks to the supportive policies and developed industries within the 11-city cluster.

According to a report published by Chinese life services platform 58.com on Wednesday, the city of Shenzhen received the highest number of applications from professionals among all Chinese mainland cities in the fourth quarter of 2023, indicating its attractiveness to talent, followed by Chengdu in southwest Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality. Guangzhou and Dongguan also appeared in the top 10 list.

Shenzhen is ramping up efforts to attract talent to enhance its innovation capabilities and drive economic growth. The city issued a guideline last year on implementing “more active, open and effective” policies to promote high-quality development of talent

With abundant technological resources and preferential policies targeting industries, Shenzhen has become the “ideal city” for professionals to settle in, the report said. The southern metropolis is home to many high-tech firms, including Tencent, Huawei, DJI, etc.

READ MORE: Chan: HK to collaborate with GBA cities in talent development 

Recruitment in GBA cities is also gaining momentum as enterprises seek to expand their workforce. Four Guangdong cities in the GBA made it into the top 15 list of most active cities for recruitment between October and December, with Shenzhen ranking second behind Beijing, Guangzhou taking sixth place, and Dongguan and Foshan ranking ninth and 15th respectively, the report indicated.

The average wage for the top 15 cities stood at 8,388 yuan ($1,175) per month in the fourth quarter, with Shanghai having the highest average pay at 10,297 yuan. Shenzhen ranked third at 9,195 yuan, followed by Guangzhou at 9,068 yuan, according to the report.

A separate report by online recruitment portal Zhaopin shows that Shenzhen is the most popular city on the Chinese mainland for young people born after 1995. The city has over 8 million people aged between 14 and 35. Guangzhou came fourth, behind Beijing and Shanghai.

Foshan ranked 12th, followed by Dongguan and Zhuhai, at 15th and 16 respectively. 

Shenzhen is ramping up efforts to attract talent to enhance its innovation capabilities and drive economic growth. The city issued a guideline last year on implementing “more active, open and effective” policies to promote high-quality development of talent. 

According to the guideline, talent aged 35 or below with a doctorate degree and postgraduates and undergraduates from prestigious universities will be granted living subsidies if they settle down in the city.

READ MORE: Dongguan emerges as a hub for talent and investment in GBA

Eligible talent from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas are also entitled to enjoy such subsidies.

Vong Keng-hei, president of Macao Legal Exchange and Promotion Association, said the GBA provides opportunities for young people from Hong Kong and Macao to work and set up business. “There are world-class research platforms in universities there. There are many new types of jobs created by emerging industries. Support facilities like housing and medical services are also available,” he said.

“In the GBA, the new ideas of young people can easily be realized,” he added.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com