Rise in homecomings 'a sign of confidence'

Opportunities are plentiful in lower-tier cities; multinationals seek those with overseas degrees

The increasing number of Chinese people returning home from overseas indicates growing confidence in the country's economy, observers have said.

A recent research project conducted by social network service Sina Weibo - a Twitter-like micro-blogging service - showed that the number of Chinese overseas returnees reached 270,000 in 2012, up 46 percent year-on-year. More than 70 percent of overseas Chinese graduates are now returning to China instead of staying abroad.