KUALA LUMPUR - China is seeking to strengthen its position as a leading destination for international students under its 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030.

China Daily reported that the plan prioritises expanding high-level opening-up in education and reinforcing the “Study in China” brand, according to education officials and university leaders.

Wang Daquan, head of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Ministry of Education, said China is confident of becoming one of the world’s most attractive destinations for overseas students.

He cited data collected over the past three years showing steady growth in applications, broader diversity in students’ countries of origin, and a significant rise in both self-funded and degree-seeking students.

The increase was recorded across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

Wang attributed the trend to the strong cost-effectiveness of China’s higher education system, noting that tuition fees remain among the lowest globally.

He also highlighted China’s stable policies, safe environment and rapid economic development.

According to Wang, the expanding international presence of Chinese companies and the Belt and Road Initiative are creating wider career opportunities for graduates in their home countries and beyond.

Latest data from the Ministry of Education showed that 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions were studying in China during the 2024-25 academic year.

Asian students accounted for the largest share at 61.1 per cent, followed by students from Africa at 16.2 per cent and Europe at 15.6 per cent.

The number of degree-seeking students reached 205,000, with postgraduates making up 35 per cent of that total.

Engineering emerged as the most popular field of study, chosen by 27.8 per cent of international students.

Beijing International Studies University reflected the broader shift towards higher-quality international education development.

Vice-president Zheng Chengjun said the university had 1,024 international students as of March 2026, representing a 70.6 per cent increase year-on-year.

The university recorded notable enrolment growth from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Students from Saudi Arabia formed the largest group at 177, followed by Morocco with 100 and Russia with 54.

Additional enrolments came from South Korea, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

Zheng said the university plans to attract more postgraduate students during the current five-year plan period.

He added that international students serve as an important bridge for trade, tourism and diplomatic relations between China and the rest of the world.

The university has also organised international cultural festivals and upgraded campus facilities to help overseas students feel more integrated into campus life.

Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, said educational cooperation is increasingly important in responding to global uncertainties.

He said international education strengthens cultural understanding and people-to-people ties while contributing to the development of a shared global future.

Zhao added that international students also support trade promotion, overseas investment and talent development in their home countries.

He said educational cooperation in science and technology additionally supports global talent mobility, knowledge-sharing and collaborative research.

Zhang Hao, a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University, said international students play a key role in presenting a more accurate understanding of China when they return home.

He urged Chinese universities to improve their global rankings and further develop flagship programmes in areas such as high-speed rail, electric vehicles and new energy technologies.