(Photo/CFP)

Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi secured the 7th, 8th and 10th places on the 2025 Ranking of Chinese Cities by Talent Attractiveness, with Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen occupying the top three positions, according to a report released by the Zhaopin Research Institute, affiliated with the country's leading online recruitment platform, Zhaopin.com.

Nanjing has experienced sustained net talent inflow, driven primarily by the rapid development of its high-end industries, which contribute 50.7% of the total output value of industrial enterprises above the designated size in 2024. Additionally, Nanjing has comprehensively enhanced its talent policy system, with approximately 33% of university graduates remaining in Nanjing, an significant increase from the 20% recorded in 2018.

Located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou boasts robust economic strength and innovation-driven growth. In 2024, its GDP reached about 2.7 trillion yuan, ranking sixth nationwide, first in Jiangsu and second in the delta region. The city has over 17,400 high-tech enterprises, the fourth highest in the country, and leads China with 24,300 national-level technology-based SMEs.

Wuxi's talent inflow is mainly attributed to its rapid development of industries inlcuding the Internet of Things (IoT) and integrated circuits. Compared to cities of the same tier, Wuxi offers more job opportunities and has a relatively lower cost of living. In 2024, the scale of seven industrial clusters in Wuxi, including IoT and integrated circuits, exceeded 200 billion yuan each. The city is home to five national advanced manufacturing clusters and has been implementing talent attraction initiatives, including innovation and entrepreneurship competitions to draw domestic and international talent.