Talent Introduce Policies in Guangzhou and Shenzhen: A Comparative Study of the Peacock Plan and Guangzhou Talent Plan

China has made significant efforts to recruit and retain talented individuals to support the development of the country’s economy and society. This study focuses on talent introduction policies in two major Chinese cities: Guangzhou and Shenzhen. By comparing two similar policies through discourse analysis, the research finds that the Guangzhou Gathering Talent Plan places greater emphasis on cultivating high-end talent, whereas the Shenzhen Peacock Plan focuses more on talent recruitment. In addition, Guangzhou demonstrates a more decentralized, multi-level government power structure, in contrast with Shenzhen’s more vertical and centralized approach to talent management. These differences are attributed to the distinct geographical positions, historical backgrounds, and policy coverage of these two regions. This study recommends that further efforts be made to retain talent effectively following initial recruitment.