Currently, foreigners working in China can only obtain a two-year visa or residence permit.

Hiroshi Matsuno, a 57-year-old Japanese visiting scholar at Tsinghua University, who has to renew his visa every year, said he hopes the government will further explain the requirements for the new visa regulation.

"I have a foreign expert certificate and need to have my visa renewed every year," he said. "It is certainly a good thing that the Chinese government is easing its visa policy for foreigners and I really hope I can be included."

He said he hopes China will involve more foreign talent in various fields under the new policy, as many overseas professionals have contributed a lot to the nation, he said.

"I hope the new visa policy will benefit more foreigners in the country and we no longer have to go through the visa verification process so frequently," he said.

Contact the writers at chenxin1@chinadaily.com.cn and zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn

Cang Wei, Cheng Yingqi and Cao Yin contributed to this story.