SHANGHAI: The city is drafting a comprehensive new residency plan designed to attract and keep highly skilled workers who can help Shanghai stay competitive, mayor Han Zheng revealed yesterday.

"A series of policies will be promulgated in February, stipulating on granting qualified talents housing, residency permit, children schooling," Han said in a speech delivered at the annual session of Shanghai municipal people's congress.

Some foreigners will also enjoy benefits from the new rules expected to be detailed next month.