I am not exactly well-versed in Chinese culture but it seems like locals would have an advantage over carpet-baggers given my paltry understanding of guanxi.
It's worth considering the ancient history of viewing all central governments (including all the Emperors) as essentially being carpet baggers you can ignore if you're physically far enough away from them. So, this is the carpet-bagging elite.
Carpet baggers have their own virtue that is a lack of strong power base and personal attachment. So the expectation is that they are less corrupt or preferential.