China has launched 12 major programs in order to recruit skilled professionals, academics and experts, in various fields from home and abroad, to meet the nation's huge demand for outstanding personnel.

These programs are part of the government's blueprint to create a highly skilled national workforce by 2020.

Among the programs, the 1,000 Plan or the Recruitment Program of Global Experts, is a special plan targeted at recruiting "innovative" talent from overseas, particularly from Chinese studying abroad.

As of August, 1,510 top-level scientists and professionals had been recruited to work in China under the 1,000 Plan, according to statistics.

Those who choose to join the scheme are eligible for awards of up to 500,000 yuan ($78,743) in cash. Scientific research funds of between 1 million yuan ($157,490) and 3 million yuan ($472,470) are also available to researchers who participate in the program.