A plan to recognize work permits for high-end foreign professionals throughout all demonstration zones of the eco-friendly integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region was unveiled on Sept 1, Jiaxing Daily reported.

The plan was released by the executive committee of the YRD integration demonstration zone in collaboration with relevant departments in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

It aims to develop the three demonstration zones into the first choice for high-end foreign professionals working in China.

The plan is applicable to A-class high-end foreign professionals specified in the Classification Standards for Foreigners to Work in China.

The A-class high-end foreign professionals include those added to the talent introduction programs in China and who meet internationally recognized standards in terms of professional achievements.

Qualified foreign professionals will be granted a maximum work permit period of five years in the demonstration zones, and any individual who receives a work permit in any one of the three demonstration zones will also have their permit recognized in the remaining two zones.

When foreign professionals are certified as A-class by relevant departments in the demonstration zone, they will be exempt from submitting supporting materials when applying for other A-class high-end foreign professional positions if they do not leave the country after the termination of the contractual relationship.

The three demonstration zones for the eco-friendly integrated development of the YRD refer to Qingpu district in Shanghai, Wujiang district in Suzhou and Jiashan county in Jiaxing.