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 criticising 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.

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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.

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