This year, China will phase in a new policy on recruiting foreign experts, encouraging more top-notch talents and specialists to come to China.

"The new regulation draws a line between foreign experts and foreign employees," said Wan Xueyuan, the head of State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) in Beijing Monday in a meeting on foreign experts affairs.

Only those designated as experts will be eligible for special benefits packages.

According to Wan, China needs to employ experts in a variety of fields, ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to engineering and media.

"The introduction of this regulation and many other practices that center on both efficiency and legitimacy will open up more doors for China," said Wan. "The whole process of recruitment, as a result, will be more scientific and democratic."

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2005)