The enrollment of international students in Chinese universities began relatively late in the nation’s history and did not become a widespread phenomenon until after the reforms of the 1970s. In recent years, the national education system has increased funding, established government scholarships and improved medical insurance to attract more overseas students. Provincial and municipal governments are enacting supporting policies as well.

Now, the quantity and quality of international students continues to grow, and China is becoming an increasingly popular destination for studying abroad. However, there are persistent problems, including low-level internationalization of higher education and difficulties in providing employment and internship opportunities.

It should be noted that there is a gap between China and the developed countries in Europe and America in terms of the quantity and quality of international students. According to statistics of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, international students studying in China only account for 0.5 percent of all higher education students in the country, a much lower proportion than the average in developed countries of 8 percent.

In 2015, approximate 400,000 students came to study in China, but fewer than half of them applied for degrees. The majority came to learn language and culture in the short term. By contrast, most international students studying in developed countries aim to acquire degrees.

 

For the past decade, the number of Chinese studying abroad has exceeded the number of foreign students in China. In 2015, more than 1.2 million Chinese students studied abroad while around 390,000 overseas students studied in China, generating a deficit of more than 860,000 which is much higher than in 2014.

Deepened reform is needed to promote the internationalization of higher education. To this end, policymakers can follow the example of other countries by increasing funding, opening international curriculum and strengthening faculty training. In addition, it is important to encourage colleges and universities to enhance exchange and cooperation with counterparts abroad.

Also, a system of credit transfer and mutual recognition of degrees  and diplomas should be established while relaxing the restrictions on application, learning and employment to encourage overseas students to intern, work and start businesses in China. This, in turn, will infuse new vitality into the innovative development of China.

Furthermore, policymakers should take advantage of the cooperation opportunities brought by the“Belt and Road” initiative, and promote talent exchange along the routes. Preferential policies are also needed to stimulate international study tours in China.

Talent is the key to competition among major countries. China should follow the trend of talent flow around the world by attracting more international students to study in the nation through open and inclusive policies, which will create an invaluable talent dividend.

 

The article was translated from People’s Daily. Wang Huiyao is president of the Center for China and Globalization.