Exclusive | China is recruiting embassy staff with a focus on electric vehicles, source says

Hundreds of candidates said to have sat exam testing their knowledge of Communist Party ideology and the EV sector

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The diplomatic push comes as the US, Canada and Europe have slapped tariffs on Chinese EVs in a bid to counter state subsidies and level the playing field. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:00pm, 17 Dec 2024

Beijing is on the hunt for science and technology counsellors for its overseas embassies, with a focus on diplomatic engagement related to the electric vehicle sector, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

China has the world’s biggest EV market and the latest diplomatic push comes as it faces allegations of overcapacity, with the US, Canada and Europe all slapping tariffs on its electric cars in a bid to level the playing field for local manufacturers.

Hundreds of candidates sat an exam in Beijing recently as part of the recruitment process for new science and technology counsellors, according to the source, who was speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The candidates were put forward by state-owned research institutes or government agencies from across the country, the person said.

Most of the applicants were said to be fluent in English and had been educated overseas. They were assessed on their understanding of Communist Party ideology – a standard test for all government-related positions – as well as knowledge of the electric vehicle sector.

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It is not known how many counsellor positions are being filled, but the Ministry of Science and Technology has carried out similar selection processes in recent years in an effort to create a pool of science talent to post in China’s diplomatic missions abroad, the source said.