Chinese education gains popularity among foreign students

While many Chinese parents send their children to schools abroad under the pressure of an exam-oriented educational system, a growing number of foreigners are discovering the merits of Chinese education. Despite high tuition fees and complicated admission procedures, Aron Ma, a Chinese-American from New York, has decided to send his two granddaughters to a kindergarten in Beijing in order to learn Chinese. "They are the descendants of Chinese, and they should never forget that their roots are in China," he said. China is undergoing a historical transformation that can provide opportunities to people around the world, he added. Similarly, Mr. Wang, a former visiting professor at Yale University who holds a U.S. green card, came back to China with his family three years ago. Wang's six-year-old son finished kindergarten in Shanghai and has entered a primary school in Beijing. Wang said traditional Chinese education can foster discipline and a sense of collectivism, and he fears his child would become self-indulgent under Western education, which emphasizes freedom and individualism. In an article on China's Sina blog circulated widely among Chinese netizens earlier this year, an American father and Chinese mother wrote that they have migrated to China from the U.S. in order for their daughter get a Chinese education. The couple wrote that the Chinese educational system is fairer than the American one, since talent selection in China is based on uniform examinations, which can effectively prevent corruption, while American education is more money-oriented, and the quality of education the children receive is largely decided by their social strata. The article adds that China has a long history and Chinese culture is worthy of thorough understanding. Chinese Internet users applauded the article. Sina Weibo user "Qitu" said, "It is better to get primary and high school education in China, for it can equip students with solid basic knowledge." "Tianmaliangju" said, "Chinese education is comparatively equal. The college entrance examination provides students with a chance to change their fates through knowledge." Kai Lei, senior reporter with Hong Kong Wen Wei Po newspaper, said the growing popularity of Chinese education around the world reflects the rise of China's international status. According to Ministry of Education official Zhang Xiuqin in an interview last November, there are currently over 330,000 foreign students studying in China, and this number is expected to reach 500,000 by 2020. The "100,000 Strong Initiative" in the U.S. has also enabled 68,000 American students to study in China, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said in a speech last November. In 2013, China's Peking University enrolled 3,852 long-term overseas students from 115 countries. Cindy Lee, chairman of Shanghai SMIC Private School, said the school now has nearly 2,000 children from around the world, and many foreign parents hope that their children can have a deep understanding of Chinese culture. Kai Lei said people all over the world are now living in a global village and the exchange and dialogue between the educational systems in different countries is an example of the cultural integration brought about by globalization. Emma Du, a Chinese student studying at Boston University, said China is now combining traditional culture and the advantages of foreign cultures, and Chinese culture will be increasingly attractive to the world.