Some Chinese students celebrate graduation in New York. Photo: IC

China saw 495,000 students returned from studying abroad in 2024, up 19.1 percent from 2023, indicating faster talent return, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday, citing the Ministry of Education (MOE). 

According to an official from the MOE, a total of 8.88 million Chinese students studied abroad between 1978 and 2024. Among them, 7.43 million completed their studies, including 6.44 million who chose to return to China, providing strong talent support for national strategies. 

In particular, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, 5.63 million have returned to China, accounting for 87 percent of all returnees since the start of China's reform and opening-up, Xinhua reported, citing the MOE, which held the 30th anniversary of the Chunhui Project and the 2025 Chunhui exchange event for Chinese overseas students innovation and entrepreneurship on Thursday in Shanghai. 

The Chunhui Project is an important platform for promoting integrated development in education, science and technology, and talent.

According to Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, the accelerated return of Chinese talent from overseas reflects a longer-term trend. As studying abroad shifts from an elite to a mass-market option, more students can study overseas. However, facing limited job prospects abroad, many of them return to China, driving up China's talent return rate. 

Besides, China's improving economy and expanded career opportunities in recent years are also drawing more overseas graduates back home, Xiong told the Global Times on Thursday.

Global Times