Zhongshan, a burgeoning city in South China's Guangdong province, is in need of more talented professionals as its economy continues to grow and develop, said Lai Zehua, Party secretary of the city.

"We are in more need of professionals than at any time before. The talent pool is regarded as the foundation of a strong city and more powerful competitiveness," said Lai.

A series of activities were held in the city on March 28 shortly after the opening of 2020 Zhongshan Trade and Investment Fair & Top Talent Networking, which will last till mid-May.

At the event, a group of high-level professionals and innovative enterprises were hailed by the local government for their outstanding achievements.

Five of the best-performing professionals gained entitlement to a subsidy of 200,000 yuan ($28,190) each while two enterprises received a funding of 2 million yuan each.

"The government should be very considerate to the needs of the professionals and provide corresponding services in advance. For ideas that lead to the development of more professionals, we should take immediate actions," said Lai.

According to the city's organization department, which is in charge of the high-level talent attraction, it has launched a project to introduce 300 professionals with master and doctorate degrees under the age of 30 in three years.

These professionals will be offered an annual salary package of 350,000 yuan for doctorate holders and a package of 300,000 yuan for master-degree holders.

So far, city government departments and township governments have provided 106 vacancies to target these people since the beginning of this year, and 3,477 applications have been received, including 33 doctorate holders and 402 graduates from overseas universities, said Zhang Yuanchu, deputy director of the organization department.

According to the organizing committee of the networking event, there will be a total of 13 activities this year, centering on serving enterprises.

The Party secretary said the city will prioritize improving the environment in order to attract more professionals. The measures include building high-quality public facilities and an ecological environment, providing high-end public services in medicine, education and culture, cultivating high-end industries and projects and creating an efficient administrative environment.