[4][8][9] The initial funding for this program was provided by the Hong Kong–based Li Ka Shing Foundation (李嘉诚基金会), with the goal of elevating research at Chinese universities to the highest levels internationally.
[5] This is in contrast to the Thousand Talents Plan, which recruits top experts from overseas and is administered separately and directly by the central government.
[1] Although the award is rarely granted to foreign scientists, a few renowned international scholars are chosen each year.
[2] These internationally renowned scholars include Nobel Prize Laureates[13][14] and members of US National Academy of Engineering.
[15][16] They are typically honored with a guest or visiting professorship at a major university, with the prestigious title of Changjiang Scholar.