A growing number of prominent Chinese scientists are leaving the U.S. to return to China, including to take up positions at Tsinghua University, in a trend that is reshaping the global research landscape. In this story, VnExpress International highlights several leading researchers who have made the move.
According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, around 20,000 ethnic Chinese scientists left the U.S. between 2010 and 2021. At least 85 rising and established scientists working in the U.S. joined Chinese research institutions full‑time in 2024 and 2025.
The Chinese government has for years sought ways to attract global scientific talent, including thousands of researchers who left the country to pursue advanced degrees in the U.S. As the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump pushes to slash research budgets and steps up scrutiny of foreign talent, that effort is receiving a boost.
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