As China emerges from the economic downturn, multinational businesses in the country will launch a "war for talent".

This is the prediction made by Financial Times correspondent Lisa Thomas, who writes from Hong Kong that international firms will start to seek talent from rivals as the global recession comes to an end and wages at multinationals start to rise.

She forecast greater problems with staff retention among such companies and potential talent shortages in professional fields, which may be of particular interest to those seeking healthcare jobs in China and positions in the financial services sector.

Issues such as falling birth rates, an ageing popularity and increasing investment are tightening the labor market, Ms Thomas explains, adding financial firms are worried that recruitment problems could impact upon future plans.

In related news, Chinese exports rose by 45.7 per cent in the year to February, according to new figures from the country's customs agency.