Government wants 500,000 by 2020, but difficulties must be overcome

China is planning to overhaul its university education system to attract more international students.

In 2014, the country played host to more than 377,000 international students, making it the world’s third-most-popular destination for such applicants.

The government plans to raise the number to 500,000 in 2020, but a number of obstacles, including the language barrier, variable standards of teaching and difficulties surrounding the recognition of Chinese academic awards overseas, are hindering progress.

Moreover, as the talent pool is dominated by students from neighboring countries and parts of Africa, the Ministry of Education plans to cast its net wider to attract more scholars from a wider geographical area.