During the event held from Nov 4 to 6, some 100 professionals from more than 20 countries such as the United States, Israel and Germany took part in activities, ranging from forums, workshops and investment matchmaking sessions to site visits, in the hope of gaining a better understanding of the business environment and opportunities in Beijing.

"There are two reasons for me to consider returning home. One is Beijing's ample resources and high-level platforms and the other is that my family is here," said Deng Yu, who is a senior structural engineer working in Australia.

Also part of the event, entrepreneurial talents, like Nie Xiliang from the US, were given the opportunity to hold roadshows for their latest projects in Beijing's high-tech hub Zhongguancun.

"I am glad that two investors have showed interest in my invention and we will have negotiations later," Nie said.

Wang Wei, deputy director of the Overseas Students Pioneer Park where the roadshows took place, said the park offers a business-friendly environment, a complete industrial chain and an incubator system for budding entrepreneurs from abroad to gain a foothold in Beijing.

The capital has held several of these events over the past few months.

At the ZGC Forum 2019 held in October, the forum on "Innovation and Cooperation by Global Academicians" attracted 33 academicians from 11 countries including Japan, Russia and Canada. Three of them signed contracts with Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park.

"Beijing is advancing its layout of science and technology by cultivating new research and development institutes in neuroscience, quantum technologies, graphene, artificial intelligence and stem cells," said Gui Sheng, an official responsible for talent recruitment in Beijing. "The city has established 22 high-tech innovation centers using university resources."

A five-day training program hosted by the Beijing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau was held after the forum. It attracted 30 technicians in fields including high tech and urban services to share their experiences and insights.

Among them were some of the most skilled technicians China, with some of them having received special government subsidies from the State Council.

"The program is part of Beijing's constant efforts to nurture craftsmanship," a local official said.

For high-caliber overseas talent working in Beijing, the city "will offer those hired by local tech companies fast tracks for visas", said Wang Jianxin, an official with the Beijing Science and Technology Commission. "Those who have foreign permanent resident identity cards will be treated the same way as Chinese residents when starting their businesses.

"The Zhongguancun Award for International Cooperation is set up to reward overseas professionals who have made great contributions to the city's scientific and technological innovations," Wang added.

A recent report from online job search company Liepin shows the average monthly salary of middle-to high-end talent in Beijing was 22,000 yuan ($3,130), topping the country.

In the first three quarters of this year, the average starting salary for fresh college graduates in Beijing was 9,062 yuan per month, taking the No 1 spot among 20 major Chinese cities.

Beijing also took a 12.97 percent share of the total nationwide talent demand, dwarfing all other cities, according to the report.