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China - Take Another Look China has been the world's leading supplier of international students to US academic institutions for two years. Yet many US colleges and universities have hesitated from recruiting Chinese students, because they've encountered problems with student visas. A challenge was that many Chinese students were not returning home after graduation. Encouraging announcements recently from the Chinese and US governments, however, show concrete steps being taken to address these issues. The US State Department has announced significant gains in visa approvals from last year. The Chinese government has taken revolutionary measures to encourage students to return home. When you factor in the explosive economic growth occurring in China currently, there are many important reasons to make this nation one of your premier recruitment targets. This is especially true for undergraduate, language and community college programs. In fact, in light of the recent headlines from Beijing and Washington, you probably can't afford not to invest in this critical student market. State Department Reports Visa Approval Increase Denying a "tough" policy on Chinese student visas, the US State Department held a press briefing recently in Washington to argue it was not rejecting applicants unnecessarily. In fact, the issuance of Chinese student visas has increased significantly over the previous year, according to State Department spokesman Philip Reeker. Preliminary figures for 2002 also indicate another increase. "Raw numbers of both Chinese visa applicants and student visas issued to Chinese citizens are in fact increasing," said Reeker. "And the refusal rate to Chinese student visa applicants actually dropped significantly over the past two fiscal years." Chinese Gov Makes It Appealing for Student The Chinese government just announced a policy to benefit students overseas. To encourage them to return home upon graduation, China is offering students tax breaks and intellectual property protection on all work. Added perks include similar jobs to those held overseas, better salaries, multiple entry-exit visas and access to strictly controlled foreign exchange. The policy is China's first systematic regulation of rewards for overseas students. A Ministry of Personnel official told the Xinhua News Service, "China will provide a more comfortable and attractive environment for them [returnees] to serve the country in various ways." For the first time, students are being encouraged to serve China in a variety of capacities, without living on the mainland. They can hold part-time jobs, cooperate in research, invest and found new companies, train in human resources and act as intermediates in other countries. Chinese students should no longer feel they must return to China to be patriotic, said government officials. Many experts see this remarkable step by the Chinese government as a way to prepare itself for membership in the World Trade Organization. The nation is taking measures to attract more professionals familiar with the international rules related to economic globalization. Meanwhile, Xinhua reported that the number of students returning has increased an average of 13 percent annually in recent years. The Chinese government hopes its new policy will increase that number much further. WTO Membership Promises Economic Rewards China's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO) last November promises to not only strengthen its economy, but also to increase the nation's economic ties to the United States. Consider a White House fact sheet on the "US-China WTO Accession Deal," which describes the deal in uncharacteristically cheerful terms. "China's entry into the WTO will dramatically cut import barriers currently imposed on American products and services," says the White House fact sheet. "This agreement locks in and expands our access to a market of over one billion people. China's economy is already among the world's largest and has expanded at the phenomenal annual rate of nearly 10 percent over the past 20 years. During this period, US exports to China have grown from negligible levels to over $14 billion each year . . . China made significant, one-way market-opening concessions across virtually every economic sector." The White House said the WTO agreement will not only benefit the US and China economically, but also will grant the Chinese people greater freedoms. "China's people will have greater scope to live their lives as they see fit," said the fact sheet. "In opening China's telecommunications market, including to Internet and satellite services, the agreement will over time expose the Chinese people to information, ideas and debate from around the world. As China's people become more mobile, prosperous, and aware of alternative ways of life, they will seek greater say in the decisions that affect their lives…" Education will play a critically important role in China's transformation to a WTO member. For that reason, most expect China to remain the world's leading supplier of students to US colleges and universities. If anything, the enrollment numbers are expected to increase. See China's 14 hottest growth areas, according to the Shanghai Municipal Government. Increase in Chinese Undergraduates Interestingly, China's biggest enrollment gains are expected to occur in undergraduate studies, not in the graduate student market as commonly thought. As IIE's 2001 Open Doors Report stated, "While numbers of international students increased by a total of 15 percent across every type of higher education institution since 1993, international student enrollment growth is particularly strong at US community colleges, which showed an increase of 50 percent throughout the same period. In the past year alone, the number has risen more than 7 percent to 85,817 students." In its many contacts with Chinese students, IEF's American College Information Center in Shanghai has experienced a sharp increase in requests for information about community colleges, language programs and undergraduate studies this year. Learn more about IEF's Spring 2002 American Education Fair in China.
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