Since the beginning of this year, several second- and third-tier cities have issued new favorable policies, including granting urban permanent household registration (hukou), providing subsidies for rental housing or buying a house, even loans for startups, to attract more talents to work and live in those cities.

According to Xi'an Public Security Bureau's statistics, in the first three months of this year, 210,000 people "migrated" to Xi'an, which is almost equal to the migrant population for the whole of 2017. Just from March 22 to March 24, 15,552 people migrated to Xi'an, among whom 333 have a master's degree and 6,107 a bachelor's degree.

The favorable policies offered by second-and third-tier cities to attract more talents have put pressure on first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai to take similar measures. In fact, Beijing and Shanghai released favorable policies last month to attract high-end talents in different fields. Beijing has vowed to establish a "green channel" for outstanding talents and may even grant them hukou. Shanghai, too, has announced special treatment for high-end talents and their families such as hukou and housing.

Some experts say the fact that first-tier cities are competing with second- and third-tier cities for high-end talents suggests there is a scramble for talents across the country. Talent is necessary not only to transform cities but also for high-quality development of the country.