Chinese families now know more about overseas education, and they have more money to pay for it, leading to a decline in the average age of overseas students. [Provided to China Daily]

The increasing number of Chinese people returning home from overseas indicates growing confidence in the country's economy, observers have said.

A recent research project conducted by social network service Sina Weibo - a Twitter-like micro-blogging service - showed that the number of Chinese overseas returnees reached 270,000 in 2012, up 46 percent year-on-year. More than 70 percent of overseas Chinese graduates are now returning to China instead of staying abroad.

"Overseas Chinese returnees typically would like to return to their families and to China after completing their post-graduate studies and getting some work experience overseas. With the gap closing between salaries for skilled Chinese candidates compared with expatriate candidates for many management positions, overseas returnees have excellent opportunities upon their return to China. This is particularly true in second- and third-tier cities where talent is very limited," said Lois Freeke, director of operations of human resources firm Kelly Services Inc, for South and East China.

Generally speaking, most returnees tend to favor working for multinational companies, or taking very senior roles in expanding local firms, in order to gain new China working experience, according to Freeke.

"Many fresh graduates or returnees may not yet have established enough of a network to start their own business upon their immediate return. We do however see overseas Chinese using their network to become involved in venture capital activities and start ups," she said.

Overseas Chinese usually tend to enter the country's workforce in management positions across all industries. They are particularly sought out for positions where a high degree of integrity or Western leadership is required, such as finance and general management roles, or where strategic leadership is necessary. Because of a local talent shortage, many overseas returnees are in demand for niche R&D positions and other senior technical roles.

Returnees often enjoy the advantage of having studied for their graduate degrees overseas, and an MBA earned abroad is often regarded as superior to a Chinese MBA as the Western education system typically offers a greater amount of critical thinking experience, Freeke added.

"Their fluent English language skills and ability to assimilate easily into the culture of a multinational company easily are further advantages," she said.

Most overseas returnees look for positions with multinational companies, but it's increasingly common for them to be attracted to senior positions in local and State-owned enterprises, which are globalizing their operations. Many local firms actively target top returnee talent for their growth plans, Freeke added.

Overseas Chinese also are highly competitive in the job market. Their experience and fluent English make them very attractive to the increasing number of Chinese firms seeking to expand abroad. Overseas returnees can also help the companies shape their expansion strategies, Freeke said.

However, overseas returnees generally target first-tier cities, so there still will be opportunities for local fresh graduates in other cities, and, of course, fresh graduates will not be competing for the same positions as overseas Chinese, who usually aim for higher-level positions, Freeke said.

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