China's new K visa, aimed at foreign science and technology professionals, has sparked public backlash, particularly from Chinese citizens concerned about job competition in a slowing economy. Introduced in August and effective from Wednesday, the visa drew attention after an Indian outlet compared it to the US H-1B visa.

• The K visa targets individuals in STEM fields who have graduated from well-known universities.
• The backlash included xenophobic remarks and prompted state media like the Global Times and People's Daily to defend the program.
• The K visa offers flexibility in entries, validity, and duration of stay, and does not require local employer backing, though its exact scope regarding work authorization remains unclear.