From Quantity to Quality

China’s International Student Strategy

Authors

  • Ming Li
  • Yukiko Ishikura

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2025.125.21005

Abstract

China’s international student strategy is shifting from enrollment-driven goals to a more diversified, quality-oriented model. Once focused on attracting degree students, recent efforts emphasize short-term international exchanges, and Chinese universities’ overseas programs and campuses. Challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and domestic criticism have spurred this reorientation. Despite policy ambiguity, emerging initiatives suggest a more flexible, outcome-driven approach aimed at strengthening global engagement and ensuring the long-term sustainability of international education in China.

Author Biographies

Ming Li

Ming Li is associate professor at the Institute for Transdisciplinary Graduate Degree Programs, The University of Osaka, Japan. E-mail: li.ming.itgp@osaka-u.ac.jp. 

Yukiko Ishikura

Yukiko Ishikura is associate professor at the Institute for International Initiatives, The University of Osaka, Japan. E-mail: ishikura@ciee.osaka-u.ac.jp.

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Published

2025-12-16

How to Cite

Li , M., & Ishikura, Y. (2025). From Quantity to Quality: China’s International Student Strategy . International Higher Education, (125). https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2025.125.21005

Issue

No. 125 (2025): Winter Issue

Section

Articles

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