In the context of China's continued focus on high-quality education development, Minister Huai Jinpeng has emphasised the critical role of international education within China’s broader goal of becoming a global education power by 2035. This update focuses on China's strategy for expanding international cooperation in education, including transnational education (TNE) and attracting inbound international students to study in China.

Key priorities of China’s International Education Strategy

Minister Huai identified two key areas for international engagement in education:

  • Bringing in: China aims to attract world-class educational resources, particularly in science, engineering, and technology fields. This strategy emphasises the importance of establishing high-level TNE partnerships with top international universities.
  • Going global: The Chinese government supports the internationalisation of its higher education institutions and vocational education systems. This includes encouraging Chinese students to study abroad while also expanding Chinese educational programmes overseas, particularly in engineering and medical education.

Strengthening inbound international education

China’s focus on enhancing its attractiveness as a destination for international students continues to grow. Notably, the "Study in China" initiative aims to double the number of youth exchanges with European countries over the next three years. This presents a significant opportunity for UK universities to collaborate on student exchanges and scholarship programmes with China. There is a target to increase the number of European students participating in exchange programmes in China, highlighting the role that UK universities and schools can play in facilitating these bilateral exchanges. China is going to launch a new scholarship to target more international students to study in China.

The British Council not only supports Chinese students in "going abroad" but also facilitates British students in "coming in," creating a two-way cultural exchange bridge. The Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP), a UK-China success story, serves as a valuable case study. Since the launch of the Mandarin Excellence Programme in 2016, more than 12,000 school students have benefited. This summer alone, nearly 1,200 British students visited China under the joint organisation of the British Council and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education. During the 11-day trip, with the support of 18 Chinese institutions in 10 different cities, they enhanced their Chinese language communication skills while deepening their understanding of modern Chinese society. This was the largest summer camp in the history of the Mandarin Excellence Programme, as well as the largest single-country summer camp in China.

Provincial government focus on TNE partnerships

Recent discussions with provincial education departments, facilitated by the British Council, highlighted a strong focus on high-quality TNE partnerships. These partnerships are viewed as a means to address regional educational disparities and boost the capacity of local institutions.

UK universities can tap into these opportunities by establishing TNE programmes that align with China's regional development priorities, particularly in mutual beneficial fields like global green transition. British Council China will be happy to assist in connecting UK HEIs to potential partner universities in China.

Conclusion

China’s education policy continues to prioritise high-quality international collaboration as a means of achieving its 2035 goal of becoming a global education power. For UK universities, this presents numerous opportunities to enhance TNE partnerships, contribute to student exchange initiatives, and attract Chinese students. By understanding and aligning with China’s education strategies, UK institutions can deepen their engagement and maintain a competitive edge in this evolving landscape.

Reference:

  1. “Three-year 10,000 Initiative, Doubling European Exchanges” officially launched (in Chinese). Available at http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/moe_1485/202406/t20240622_1137179.html
  2. The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the "Promoting High-Quality Development" series - Ministry of Education session provides an in-depth explanation of advancing the comprehensive construction of a strong education nation (in Chinese). Available at http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s5147/202409/t20240927_1153405.html
  3. At the National Education Conference, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to firmly focus on the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education and to make solid progress toward the strategic goal of building a strong education nation (in Chinese). Available at http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s6052/moe_838/202409/t20240910_1150246.html