The first wave of Chinese studying overseas brought about myriad scientific and engineering advances in the country, according to Li Kexin, curator of the Overseas Chinese Students Museum.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, such overseas talent as Qian Xuesen, the founder of Chinese space science, and Li Siguang, the founder of China's geomechanics, returned home to make great contributions to the fledging country's industry, scientific research, education and national defense.

The number of those pursuing overseas study rose in 1978 when China began the policies of reform and opening up. The same year a first batch of 52 Chinese students went to the United States to study-a big event showing the country's resolution to engage with the outside world.

After 30 years of opening up and reform, China is entering a crucial time of development and is especially thirsty for high-level workers who are engaged in cutting-edge technologies and industries. Those in highest demand are also proficient in international markets and rules, according to Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

"The financial crisis is an opportunity for China to further embrace the world as well as a chance for overseas returnees to start their careers," said university professor Zhou Huaibei, who is himself an overseas returnee.

"A stable political situation, open policies and a better investment environment, these are the reasons that draw the overseas talents," said Wang Huiyao, Deputy Director of WRSA.

"In the old days these overseas Chinese professionals used to be invited to attend domestic events, but since 2008 things have changed. They began to take initiatives to care about information from the homeland," said Li Guangzhe, head of a society that represents Chinese students studying in Japan.

"China will be receiving a vitality injection if it can seize upon this brain influx and create favorable relations between them and the country," said WRSA Deputy Secretary General Chen Quan.

The returnees will learn to adapt to the domestic environment and realize their value, said Hou Guoqiang, a senior company manager with an MBA degree from Britain's Cambridge University.