Two Indian roti makers in Hunan received 1,000 yuan "foreign expert" subsidies, causing online controversy over eligibility. Authorities confirmed payment but cited higher-level bureau for status determination. Public questions if street food skills warrant expert status, contrasting with provincial guidelines requiring degrees/experience. Official clarification is pending.
Source: OT-Team(G), 鲁中晨报, 重庆晨报
Two Indian Roti Makers in Hunan Labeled "Foreign Experts," Stirring Online Debate
A recent subsidy granted to two Indian nationals working as roti makers in Shaoyang, Hunan Province, has triggered widespread discussion on Chinese social media over how "foreign expert" status is defined and applied.
On February 6, local authorities confirmed that the two men, both specializing in making Indian-style flatbread commonly known in China as feibing, received consolation payments of 1,000 yuan each after being recognized as "foreign experts." The case quickly drew public attention online.
Staff from the Shaodong Municipal Bureau of Science, Technology and Industry said in an interview that the payments had indeed been issued. However, they stressed that both the determination of "foreign expert" status and the source of the funds fell under the authority of the Shaoyang Municipal Science and Technology Bureau. "We are only the handling unit and are also waiting for a response from the Shaoyang Municipal Science and Technology Bureau," a staff member said.
According to available information, the two Indian roti makers work at separate restaurants in Shaoyang and Shaodong. The manager of one restaurant told reporters that the chef had been recruited through a labor agency. Each serving of the flatbread sells for more than 20 yuan and is relatively popular among local customers.
On February 7, reporters contacted the Shaoyang Municipal Science and Technology Bureau to ask whether the recognition of the two workers as foreign experts met the relevant criteria. A staff member responded, "Please refer to the official notice. We will reply as soon as possible."
The incident has fueled online skepticism. Street stalls selling Indian-style flatbread are a common sight in many Chinese cities, leading some netizens to question whether such roles qualify for expert status. Comments circulating online include comparisons such as whether Chinese noodle makers—specialists in hand-pulled noodles or knife-cut noodles—would then be considered "domestic experts," or whether other skilled food artisans should receive similar recognition.
Guidelines published on the Hunan provincial government website under the "Conditions for Applying for a Work Permit for Foreign Experts in Hunan" state that foreign experts generally refer to foreign professional or managerial personnel hired to work in Hunan to carry out intergovernmental or international agreements, economic and trade contracts, or similar arrangements. Some categories of experts are expected to hold at least a bachelor's degree and have five or more years of relevant work experience.
As of now, local authorities have not released a detailed explanation of how the two roti makers' qualifications were assessed under these standards. The case remains under public scrutiny as observers await further clarification from the Shaoyang Municipal Science and Technology Bureau.
What's your view? Do you think traditional culinary skills from abroad can reasonably fall under the "foreign expert" category, or should the definition be more narrowly limited to academic and technical professions? Share your thoughts.
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