"I'm full of expectations toward the development of Hainan Free Trade Zone and considering a new career on the tropical island," said Wang Mengxiong, a PhD degree holder who has worked at a medical company in Beijing for a couple of years.

Hainan Normal University, one of the major institutions of higher learning in Hainan, received about 50 resumes from people with PhD degrees within two hours. Some are from universities in Beijing, while some others came from places as far as Heilongjiang in Northeast China for the event, said a recruitment staff member with the university.

The central government announced its support for developing Hainan into a pilot international FTZ and exploring the construction of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics at a gathering on April 13 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the island becoming a province and a special economic zone.