Nine departments in Zhongshan jointly issued the Twenty-three Articles for Modern Talent Development of Zhongshan ('23 Articles' in short). These articles outline Zhongshan's decision to roll out the "Zhongshan Talent Program", which includes investing 5 billion yuan in 5 years to cultivate 100 leading experts in various fields, 100 innovation and entrepreneurship teams, 1,000 senior professionals with doctoral degrees, 2,000 distinguished experts, 200,000 highly-skilled workers and 500,000 skilled workers.

The 23 Articles clarify the development direction and concepts of talent-related work in the future. There are 10 sub-policies in two categories. The first category includes three special policies in terms of children's schooling, medical services and housing security. The second category are the seven talent evaluation programs in terms of business management, scientific and technological innovation, healthcare, education and sports, publicity and culture, agriculture and rural affairs, and comprehensive fields.

The 23 Articles mainly include the implementation of talent support projects; active participation in the construction of talent highland in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support policy improvement for innovation and entrepreneurship of talent from Hong Kong and Macao; mutual recognition and relevant services for talent with neighboring cities; talent training programs to improve independent supply capabilities of talent; improvement in evaluation system to unleash innovation and creativity of talent; and talent ecological optimization to build better development environment.

The 23 Articles came into effect on April 1, 2022, with a trial period of two years. Starting July 1, 2022, no more categories of urgently-needed top talent will be added. Existing urgently-needed top talent will continue to receive benefits according to the original policies and they will be included into the same category of distinguished experts.