China Considering Return of Some International Students

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Cyril Zachariah
Updated on Feb 14, 2022 10:32 AM IST

As per sources, no immediate plans have been placed by China to welcome over 4 lakh international students, which includes 23,000 Indians from returning to study their respective courses at the Chinese Universities.

China Considering Return of Some International Students

Latest Update (Feb 10, 2022):China Begins Considering Return of Intl Students, No Information on Indian Students

Medical students enrolled in Chinese universities and stranded outside country borders still remain to see any concrete responses from the Chinese government, with regards to a deadline for announcing border relaxations for international students.

According to the Hindustan Times, days after offering to arrange travel plans for Pakistani students to return to on-campus learning in their respective universities in China, however, did not outline any commitment towards other international students, including Indian students.

Further, earlier this week, i.e. second week of February 2022, the Chinese foreign ministry stated that they had been considering the return of international students to China in a coordinated manner. Nevertheless, no deadline or dates were mentioned for the same.

For nearly two years, China has completed restricted the entry of international students to return to their country, citing safety concerns, even though the virus has been under control. Meanwhile, in a joint statement between China and Pakistan, an arrangement will be made for Pakistani students by China, to help them return to their universities, however, no dates were mentioned either.

Also Read:Australia Opens Border for Vaccinated Travellers from Feb 21

Further reports of similar arrangements to help students return to the country are reported to be made between China and other countries like Mongolia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

However, when questions about Beijings plan on helping Indian students return, Zhao Lijin, Foreign Ministry of Chinas spokesperson, emphasised the governments commitment to helping international students return to China to continue their studies. He cited, We are considering in a coordinated manner arrangement for allowing foreign students to return to China for their studies.

International students, especially medical students from India and around the world have continuously raised petitions to the Chinese government to let them enter the country and finish their studies, however, all seem to be in vain.

Also Read:China Permits International Students to Work While Studying

As per reports, over 23,000 Indian students, the fourth largest source of international students in China, have been enrolled in the country, mostly in medical courses. More importantly, these medical students have missed out on numerous physical lessons and classes, which were attached to the hospitals for practice learning, due to the lockdown on international students.

As the lockdown in the country continues, no respite can be seen for the majority of international students who continue to stay stuck outside the country, forced to complete their studies online.

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Source: The Hindustan Times

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(Jan 25, 2022):China Extends its Ban Extends to Third Year!

As every country began to close it borders to international travellers early 2020, China also joined the race and closed it borders to all international travellers. However, as time went on, several countries began reopening their borders, China continued to keep its borders closed to all international travellers. Ever since China first closed down its borders, international students are yet to see any relaxations on the front.

Before the pandemic, China's focus had been on becoming the centre for higher education, a key element in President XI Jinping's goal of enhancing China's soft power, while strengthening the "people-to-people" via the Belt and Road Initiative.

However, with China's "Zero COVID" restrictions in place, and other factors, China's attraction as study abroad destinations grows dimmer. Philip Altbach, Higher Education Specialist at Boston College, tagged China's COVID-19 restrictions as the "most extreme by far". He added that this extreme action taken by China "has done at least medium-term damage to its attrativeness as an education hub".

With the international travel ban extending to its third year, more and more students are now questioning their choice of studying in China. Students from across the globe who have enrolled in Chinese universities across different disciplines have joined forces online through different platforms like, Twitter and Instagram and have even reached out to different media outlets, with #TakeUsBackToChina tags rising in popularity.

However, over the past two years, there have been exceptions to the travel restrictions. In fact, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, international travellers with business needs, which includes a "fast-track" for American business people. Meanwhile, Beijing, has made exceptions for a few international students, particularly South Koreans, the WSJ reported.

Similarly, a few different partnership programmes between international universities and governments and other universities in China have led to similar exceptions, where a limited number of students have reportedlybeen allowed to enter China to continue their studies, as stated by the Wall Street Journal.

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(September 7, 2021): International students continue to remain banned from entering China.

While countries across the globe start to open up their borders even with the pandemic evolving and spreading into different variants, China has announced its reluctance to welcome overseas nationals from entering the country.

As per sources, China stated that it cannot relax pandemic controls for foreign travel. In other words, no immediate plans have been placed to welcome over 4 lakh international students, which includes 23,000 Indians from returning to study their respective courses at the Chinese Universities.

The Vice-Minister of the National Health Commission, Li Bin, stated that the officials will work on preventing imported infections from permeating locally, while also strengthening the inspection of imported goods.

Also Read: International Medical Students Enrolled in Chinese Universities Reach Out to the UN for Help

Li Bin further added that cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Ruili have witnessed local clusters of the Delta variant as a result of the imported cases. The local media quoted him saying that the waves have reminded us that we cannot relax our pandemic control measures.

The NHC Ministers comments were made to help the Chinese Foreign Ministry ward off questions with respect to permitting the return of the 4 lakh international students waiting to enter the country, since last year.

Since last year, many international students, from India and abroad, grew weary of being unable to enter the country. These international students had earlier this month, written to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, requesting an intervention regarding the same.

The letter had been written by the China International Student Union, who have been working towards bringing back the international students to China since last year. In the letter, the union called upon the statements made by Xi in 2010, where he called international students forever, a friend of China

The letter further added that the forever friends of China have been left in a lurch that could only be solved by China. Our education is on the line, our future is at stake., the letter highlighted.

To date, China has been maintaining its stance on Chinese universities offering online classes for the students, while also highlighting the spread of the virus across countries abroad.

However, these online classes have had little impact on the 23,000 medical students from India, who have had to move back their studies with laboratories facilities, sources state. Adding fuel to the fire, the frustration of the international students grew as many Chinese students enrolled in US Universities flocked to the US once Washington re-opened the visa process, thus facilitating their return.

Answering questions from journalists from around the world, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, stated that China has placed great importance on the issue of allowing re-entry of the international students returning to China. He added that the country will make the necessary considerations for the same while ensuring safety during the pandemic.

Wang further added that while ensuring safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, China will consider an arrangement in a coordinated manner, facilitating the return of international students to China to continue their studies. However, he emphasised that China will focus on prevention and control measures, in a coordinated manner, backed by scientific analysis.

Meanwhile, Indian diplomats in Beijing have been communicating with the Chinese government, both with the education and foreign ministries, regarding the pleas of Indian students stuck in their home country, promising adherence to all specified protocols.

While students from countries like India have not been able to return to their on-campus classes in China since last year, students from countries like Pakistan, who have close ties with the country, have also been kept outside the borders.

The local media highlighted that Pakistani students comprise a third of the entire international student population and are among those who are also suffering from the effects of studying remotely.

Currently, there are more than 4.4 lakh international students studying in China, which includes the 23,000 Indian students, especially in courses such as Medicine and are paying heavy fees.

Also Read: Indian Medical Students Seek PM Modi's Help to Return to China for their Medical Studies

While stakeholders expect to see China relax its border entry restrictions for international students by September 2021 or April 2022, the start of the new academic year.

Furthermore, officials also expect to vaccinate at least 70% of its population to achieve herd immunity by early next year. However, until this goal is met, China is expected to continue to take such hard measures to keep the spread of the virus at bay.

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Feb 11th, 2021:International Students May Not Be Able to Enter China Anytime Soon

Trying to enter China would now be impossible for anyone holding valid visas and residence permits from Ukraine, UK, Russia, Philippines, Italy, India, France, Ethiopia, Belgium and Bangladesh. Since the uncontrollable outbreak in March, students have not been able to enter the country, which has led to increasing frustration due to lack of communication or updates.

Wang Wenbin, a Government spokesperson stated that the measures that have been implemented are reasonable and as per the standards of international practices, in a press conference that had been held recently.

Sources have claimed that the Chinese Government has been able to curb the spread of COVID-19 in most regions of the country, with a few major cities even reporting pub trivia nights on a weekly basis. Sources add that this has been possible due to the strict border control.

On the other side, the students who have enrolled in practice-based programmes such as Medicine have been critical of the approach taken by China. They stated that online classes would deem useless for medical students as it is not an accepted form of study to further practice in the field.

Also Read: UK Govt to Establish Global Travel Taskforce for International Arrivals

Many students have stated that the entire process has been mentally draining. Sources have also stated that a lot of the frustrations also rise from treatment offered to Chinese International students compared to those enrolled in Chinese Universities, which is different.

A few students stated that some Universities in other countries have organised Charter Flights for Chinese students, meanwhile, Chinese institutions are yet to even reply to the students.

Sources state that a few Universities are more in-line working with international students, and thus, have better networks and opportunities in place. These universities have partnerships which are forward-thinking and progressive. Further, these institutions are taking up initiatives to support and help their students.

Also Read: International Students in the US Hope for Stable Status Under Biden Administration

Few people have commented that opening of borders would not make any difference sue to the strict entry requirements that are almost impossible to adhere to. Currently, those travelling to the country are required to carry 2 COVID-19 Tests taken less than 48 hours before the flight. Further, if the person chooses a connecting flight, they are also required to carry a COVID-19 test from the country of the stopover as well. Moreover, travellers will then also be required to quarantine for 14 days, which will entirely be self-funded.

Thus, travelling to China is nearly impossible students as well as anyone wishing to travel to the country. Therefore, planning higher education in the country anytime soon maybe pointless till restrictions are relaxed and further assistance are provided by the institutions itself.

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