One City, Two VisionsExperts differ in method, but agree that people make a city prosper.W

One City, Two Visions

Experts differ in method, but agree that people make a city prosper.

What should be the next step after a city has become a domestic success in almost every field？

"Have more internationally competent talents prepared," one expert answered.

"It should learn more about how to learn," said another.

They were speaking about Shanghai and both assertions (断言) refer to the quality of people, and the belief that any further development of the city requires talented individuals who have both professional expertise (专门知识) and international vision.

Comments from an article entitled "On Internationally Competent Talents," by Miao Qihao, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Library, which was published in the Hong Kong- based Wen Wei Po on October 12, 2003, add some insights into this interesting and very relevant social issue.

"Internationally competent talents, in many occasions these days, have become the equivalent of haigui (Chinese who have gone abroad to study or work and then returned), but I don't quite agree with this," says Miao.

He explains his definition of internationally competent talents as having various categories, including foreign professionals and haigui who, according to a more accurate term suggested by the United Nations specifically referring to talent backflow from developed countries to developing ones, is "reserve brain drain (人才流失)." These expertise and knowledge of these two kinds of arrivals, Miao concludes, certainly add more international flavor to Shanghai's economy and culture.

The real challenge for Shanghai to foster a strong contingent of internationally competent talents, Miao maintains, is not only expanding the first two categories, but for local professionals to upgrade themselves to international standards. "They are the largest part and their quality to a large degree determines the quality of human capital of the whole city," he adds.

But for those who have never been abroad, under what conditions can they be regarded as "international talents"？ Diplomas and English proficiency？ Practical criteria, but much too simplified. According to Miao, ethical virtues and professional expertise are essential, in addition to three other qualities, namely, understanding of international practices and rules, cross-culture communication, and global vision.

We are not calling for know-alls, but for professionals who have professional knowledge, Miao clarifies in his definition of understanding of international practices. For example, human resource managers of academic institutions should be able to tell qualified foreign university diploma from false ones, he adds.

As for international rules, Miao raises an example of a Chinese export company that was stunned by the emerging technological barrier in the European market. Though the new regulation was published half a year earlier on the official website, ignorance to international rules made the company believe that the once warm and extravagant reception they extended to their European clients would exempt (免除) them from any restriction.

Skills in communication with people speaking different languages and having different cultural backgrounds, in Miao's opinion, are another essential but lacked capability. The English name of a Shanghai organization, for instance, sounds like "hang you", which may confuse or even frighten its foreign clients. Many may attribute this to insufficient English ability, but overlook the problem of cross-culture communication lying deeply beneath.

"Think global, Act local," a slogan Miao cites to illustrate his understanding of global spirit and vision. "Global" is a big word, but it can also be reflected in very practical local actions. Printing name cards with recycled paper, for example, is a p

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