(Yicai Global) Nov. 27 -- Chemists Bernard L. Feringa and Kurt Wuthrich are set to be the first group of Nobel laureates to work in China with Chinese green cards next month, Jiefang Daily reported.

Feringa received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry last year for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. He was made foreign director of the Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center last month. He led the East China University of Science and Technology team in Shanghai in developing light-stimuli responsive materials and self-healing materials. These smart materials have a wide range of applications in the medical care, electronics and energy saving fields.

Wuthrich received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002 and is a distinguished professor at ShanghaiTech University. He is leading a research group there to explore the molecular mechanism of G protein-coupled receptors in the human body using liquid nuclear magnetic resonance. This research is expected to spawn new drugs targeted by G protein-coupled receptors.

Foreign scientists who work in China usually leave the country within the stipulated time of their visas' validity or apply for another one before theirs expires. Visa holders face many inconveniences in terms of travel, housing purchases and medical treatment. China updated its permanent residence cards for foreigners this year.

Authorities treat foreigners holding these cards like Chinese citizens in many respects. Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park Management Committee has issued a recommendation letter of permanent residence for 30 high-level foreign talents.

China upgraded its permanent residence card program this year. The new version of Chinese green cards has embedded non-contact integrated circuit chips, as do Chinese citizens' identification cards. The chips store relevant personal data and document issuance and management information.