When China first announced a new visa targeting foreign professionals in science and technology in August it largely went unnoticed.
But the K visa, which went into effect on Wednesday, was thrust into the public spotlight last week, when an Indian outlet referred to it as 'China's H-1B' - a reference to the US visa for skilled workers which was, last month, targeted by an executive order by Donald Trump. Indians dominate the H-1B programme, making up more than 70% of the recipients in recent years.
The Indian media report was picked up widely in China, stoking concern - and even fears - amongst the public over whether benefits extended to foreigners would increase competition in a sluggish job market - and in a country that has traditionally not been a major immigration destination for foreign professionals.
And although it is still unclear whether the visa will actually allow foreigners to work in China or whether it just allows them easier access into the country, it didn't stop tens of thousands of users on Chinese social media from criticizing the programme.
'We have so many bachelor's degree holders, not to mention even more with master's and doctoral degrees. We already have a surplus of domestic talent - and now you're bringing in foreign college graduates?' read one comment.
‘There have been so many new programmes pushing our university students to compete with each other, but in the end, nothing beats a foreign passport,’ another Weibo user wrote.
Others talked about whether authorities could bring in a high standard of talent, and questioned whether foreigners would be able to adapt to life on the mainland, citing language barriers and China's tightly controlled political system.
Also among the comments were a wave of xenophobic and racist remarks - many of them targeted specifically at Indian nationals.
The backlash has been so intense that state media outlets have stepped in to try to calm the waters.
On Monday, the Global Times published a commentary advocating the scheme as an opportunity 'for the world to see a more open and confident China in its new era'.
And on Tuesday, the People's Daily published a commentary titled 'Misrepresenting the K visa will only mislead the public'.
'As China steps onto the global stage, it is hungrier for talent than ever before,' the article adds.
What is clear is China is seizing the momentum as the US pulls back from its position as a top destination for international talent and visitors.
The official launch of the K visa - though the timing was set two months ago - coincides with the Trump administration's sharp increase in application fees for the H-1B programme, a move that has sparked uproar in countries like India and China - two of the largest sources of skilled workers to the US.
This is just the latest step in China's broader effort to attract foreigners to the country - whether for tourism, research or business.
'At a time when some countries are turning inward and excluding international talent, China has keenly seized this important opportunity and promptly introduced relevant policies,' the People's Daily commentary reads.
But the initiative is not without its limitations, experts say.
The online backlash reflects a pattern of public scrutiny and criticism in China over what is perceived as preferential treatment for foreigners.
While discourse on social media may not fully represent public sentiment at large, the controversy highlights that 'implementation is not only a matter of regulatory design, but also of public communication and domestic consensus-building,' according to Giulia Interesse, an editor at business intelligence platform Asia Briefing.
While the K visa is a sign of China's ambition to attract global talent, the reaction it has generated showcases the complexity of balancing foreign interests with domestic sentiments.
