Navigating the "circulation" of Chinese overseas students
Mabel Lu Miao, Co-Founder & Secretary-General of CCG, speaks on seminar co-hosted by CCG and Alliance of Global Talent Organizations.
Hi, this is Yuxuan Jia in Beijing. On Dec. 28, 2023, a seminar titled "Chinese Returnees Studies and International People-to-People Exchanges" was co-hosted by the Center for China & Globalization (CCG) and the Alliance of Global Talent Organizations (AGTO). AGTO is a non-governmental organization proposed by the CCG and launched at the third edition of the Paris Peace Forum on November 13, 2020.
The seminar focused on the contributions of Chinese students educated abroad to the development of China and the country's communication with the world, especially in light of President Xi Jinping's announcement in San Francisco that "China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years."
The event featured speeches by David Zweig, Professor Emeritus at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), CCG Vice President, and AGTO's director of research; Henry Huiyao Wang, CCG Founder & President and AGTO's Director-General; and Mabel Lu Miao, CCG Co-Founder & Secretary-General and AGTO's Deputy Director, followed by a panel discussion of the three, moderated by Luo Yan, Communications Director of CCG.
The event was covered by China News Service, www.china.com.cn under the auspices of the State Council Information Office, and China Scholars Abroad under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. The full video of the event is available on CCG's official WeChat account and YouTube.
Transcripts of speeches delivered by Henry Huiyao Wang and David Zweig, as well as the panel discussion of the three, have already been published on CCG Update. Today, we present you the speech by Mabel Lu Miao, Co-Founder & Secretary-General of CCG.
Mabel Lu Miao's speech highlights the Center for China and Globalization's (CCG) research on Chinese returnees. The CCG's studies, encompassing 18 Blue Books and annual reports since 2012, focus on the diverse impacts of returnees in China, covering their roles in entrepreneurship, employment, and cultural integration. The research also addresses broader trends in global education, migration, and the increasing inflow of international students to China. Collaborations with international organizations like the IOM expand the scope of global migration patterns. Miao notes ten key trends related to returnee development, including their growing numbers, entrepreneurial activities, and contributions to various sectors like high-tech industries and public governance. Additionally, she emphasizes CCG's active role in advocating for returnee studies and shaping supportive structures for them in China, highlighting their importance in China's socio-economic development and global integration.
Thank you. I am grateful to Professor Henry Huiyao Wang and Professor Zweig for their insightful speeches, which have laid an excellent foundation for my upcoming discussion on the current state and trends in the development of Chinese returnees. Their perspectives, which encompass both domestic and international views, provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. In fact, over the years, we have conducted extensive research on this topic, as already outlined by Chairman Wang Huiyao. I will focus on some specific findings of our studies, which are the collective efforts of our team.
As my colleague mentioned, CCG has been consistently focusing its research on returnees, examining their developmental status, characteristics, and key issues. We have published around 18 volumes in the total of two series of Blue Books on international and regional talents through the Social Sciences Academic Press, which have significantly contributed to the in-depth study of returnees.
While returnees are a key area of our research, our scope extends beyond this topic. It includes studying overseas education and its pathways, leading to returnees, as well as the development of international schools. This also encompasses students who come to China for their studies and returnees who have studied abroad and returned to China. Additionally, we explore how returnees engage in innovation and entrepreneurship and their role in global population mobility. Indeed, our research also considers international migration as part of the broader context of population movement. Thus, returnees are just one aspect of our research, but they link various elements like overseas education, population movement, education, and immigration, making them a significant component in our study of global population mobility.
First, let's review our research on the development of returnees. I will also discuss our findings on overseas education and population movement, and finally, I will present ten trends for the future development of returnees. The " 海归发展报告 Annual Report on the Development of Chinese Returnees" series began in 2012, starting with the "中国海归创业发展报告 Annual Report on Chinese Returnee Entrepreneurship," which was the first blue book in China to systematically study the returnee community and their entrepreneurial endeavors. This report highlighted the Chinese government's encouragement and support as key factors attracting returnees to start businesses in China, along with the economic opportunities available in the country. It also addressed the concept of dual cultural identity among returnees.
Each year's report focuses on different trends and hot topics. The 2013 blue book pointed out four main concerns for returnees: employment, entrepreneurship, their role in knowledge-intensive sectors, and how they contribute to these areas. Economic opportunities and family reunification were identified as primary reasons for returning to China, as evidenced by a survey we conducted. We also observed an emerging trend of returnees moving back overseas, which we initially termed "归海 returning to the sea." This trend became more apparent over time, and we suggested that it be called a "circulation" and that efforts should be made to maximize the potential of these talented individuals as thought banks.
In 2017, we collaborated with Zhaopin.com to conduct a survey on the employment and entrepreneurship of Chinese returnees. This report found that family reunification and cultural factors were the main reasons for returning to China, with only 8.8% returning due to national policies. This was a significant finding at the time. The report also debunked some myths, showing that over 90% of returnees were able to integrate well into Chinese society. In 2018, we conducted further research, highlighting an increased focus among returnees on the safety of studying abroad. Following their return, a minority of returnees migrated internally, with Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou being preferred destinations, while the northeastern and central-western regions faced challenges in retaining such talents. In 2019, our research identified a shift in priorities: having an international perspective replaced strong language skills as the most important trend for returnees seeking employment in China. However, asymmetry in the domestic job market remained a major disadvantage. The focus of policy needs among returnees gradually shifted from improving salary and benefits to enhancing the employment service system for returnees.
In 2020, we collaborated with LinkedIn to release a study on the career development prospects for Chinese and global graduates. This report noted a healthy circulation of talent, with students from the top ten universities (U10) studying abroad and then returning for employment. The overall trend of studying abroad was stable, with a slowing growth rate for studying in the USA and increasing diversification in study destinations. In 2021, our continued collaboration with LinkedIn yielded another report highlighting the clear international development needs of U10 graduates. Europe and America remained the main study destinations, but there was a gradual increase in students going to other Asian countries and regions, indicating further diversification in study destinations. The proportion of U10 graduates taking their first job overseas had risen, likely influenced by various factors including the pandemic.
In the second part, I would like to discuss reports directly related to returnees, focusing on overseas education and migration development. As mentioned, our series of reports on these topics have been published continuously for over a decade. It's important to note that the phenomenon of returnees is not isolated; it is intrinsically linked with overseas education and population mobility. Our reports extend from returnees to cover these broader aspects. The study of overseas education began with the "中国留学发展报告 2012 Report on the Development of Chinese Students Studying Abroad," which was the first in a series in China to systematically examine the current status, characteristics, and key issues of overseas education development.
The 21st century has seen six trends in overseas education: massification, younger age of students, diversification in destination choices, diversification in subject choices, variety in modes of study, and diversity in levels of study. These trends caused significant reactions, and in that period, we highlighted the intensification of younger students studying abroad. In our 2013 report, we noted that the quality of younger Chinese students abroad was superficially high and that the level of international education in Chinese universities urgently needed improvement. China faced a serious deficit in overseas study, with more students going abroad than coming to China for studies. Despite rumors questioning the value and return on investment of studying abroad, or the phenomenon of "seaweed" graduates (unemployed returnees), our report responded to these speculations, indicating a high overall return rate for Chinese students studying abroad.
In our 2014 Report on the Development of Chinese Students Studying Abroad, we continued to explore these themes, emphasizing that attracting international students to China could be a breakthrough in creating a globally competitive talent system. With less than 1% of international students in China, there was a need to open up and truly become a great study destination. The future development of Chinese students abroad was seen to increasingly focus on the "overseas education dividend". The 2015 report continued this discussion, pointing out the clear trend of unidirectional student flow between China and the USA. It recommended increasing efforts to develop education for international students in China, breaking policy barriers, and tapping into the international talent dividend. This approach elevates the study deficit to the level of international talent dividends, suggesting a global perspective on the issue. The report also identified a clear demand for entrepreneurial education among overseas students and recommended developing Sino-foreign cooperative entrepreneurial education to cultivate entrepreneurial international talents.
In the 2016 edition of the report, we noted a more pronounced trend in younger students studying abroad, particularly among high school students. Returnees from overseas studies were increasingly interested in strategic emerging fields and innovation and entrepreneurship. Their desire to participate in governance and politics, especially in the charity sector, was more evident. We also highlighted the significant growth of students from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries coming to study in China, which became a focus of our work.
The 2017 report pointed out that family factors had become the main reason for the new generation of overseas students to return to China. It was a period we termed the "Bronze Age" for returnee employment, prompting deep reflection on the value of studying abroad. Various measures were proposed to enhance the value of overseas education, and BRI countries emerged as a growth point.
From 2020 to 2021, we continued to publish reports on the development of Chinese students studying abroad. Studying abroad remained a crucial channel for China to cultivate international talent. The future of overseas study destinations was seen as offering more choices. Sino-foreign cooperative education played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic, with in-situ overseas education programs becoming notably prevalent. We also mentioned the growing enthusiasm for returnees to develop in their hometowns and the increasing attractiveness of new first-tier cities.
In our latest 2022 report, we observed that China remains the largest source country for international students. The number of students from Asian countries, particularly India, going abroad for studies was rapidly increasing. The enthusiasm of Chinese students to return home and participate in public policy and governance continued to rise. We advocate for leveraging the role of overseas students in public administration and global governance. The report emphasizes the importance of international exchange among students and supports them in effectively sharing China's story. This role of overseas students has become a significant theme in Chinese society in 2022, highlighting their vital contribution.
We have also published a book titled "全球国际学校发展与中国实践 The Global Development of International Schools and Practice in China." As previously mentioned, the education provided by international schools is a crucial upstream factor in the development of Chinese students who study abroad. The book addresses how international schools should evolve, examining their advantages and areas for improvement within a global context, as well as the overall size and potential for growth of international schools worldwide. It specifically highlights the significant increase in the number of English international schools in Asia, with China becoming the country with the most English international schools globally. The book also discusses how China, leveraging its solid educational foundation and rich experience in international education practices, can establish Chinese international schools abroad. Considering the numerous international schools already operating in China, the book offers policy recommendations for setting up such institutions overseas.
Furthermore, we have published a book on international students coming to China for their studies, titled "国际学生来华留学与发展 International Students in China and Their Career Development." This book systematically explores the development and career prospects of international students who come to China for their studies. These students, primarily from developing countries and Asia, represent the reverse of the "sea turtle" phenomenon, where Chinese students study abroad and then return. The book emphasizes the need to enhance China's attractiveness to international students, particularly those from geopolitically strategic countries, and strengthen efforts in this area.
The career intentions of international students in China are diverse, encompassing innovation, entrepreneurship, and contributing to China's role in global governance. The book reveals the necessity of further strengthening the understanding of overseas students as crucial links in cultural exchanges between China and other countries. By nurturing more students who are knowledgeable and friendly towards China, it aims to enhance mutual understanding and trust, as well as improve communication between China and the world.
We have consistently tracked global and Chinese international migration flows, expanding our research on returnees to include studies on talent mobility both in China and worldwide. As I mentioned earlier, our work is not limited to studying returnees alone. Instead, we view returnees as a significant component of population movement. In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), we have published the Chinese version of the "世界移民报告 World Migration Report" for ten consecutive years, holding grand launch events and positioning it as a key scholarly resource. Additionally, for over a decade, we have compiled the "中国国际移民报告 Annual Report on Chinese International Migration," which academically focuses on returnees as a vital group in population movement.
We also published the "海外华侨华人专业人士报告 Report on Overseas Chinese Professionals" in 2014, a pioneering study in China on overseas Chinese professionals. I recall that in this blue book, we first reported that there are approximately 4 million Chinese professionals abroad, a figure now widely cited in various domestic documents and policies. Most of these professionals are distributed in developed countries and regions such as the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia. The number and scale of overseas Chinese professionals are increasing, and their knowledge level and professional expertise are continuously improving, making them an important group within the Chinese higher-educated class.
In 2017, we released a highly influential report titled "中国区域人才竞争力报告2017 Report on China's Regional International Talent Competitiveness (2017)." This report evaluated and analyzed the development of returnee talents at the regional level in China. It assessed regional competitiveness in terms of international talent scale, structure, innovation, policies, development, and living conditions, providing both individual and provincial index evaluations. This comprehensive approach to studying regional talent competitiveness in China included a focus on returnees and their impact on regional development.
***Pre-registration for the 10th China and Globalization Forum, May 25-26, 2024, is now open at the following registration link. Check out more information about this unmissable event here.***
Finally, I would like to quickly discuss the ten trends in the development of Chinese returnees, which we have identified through our years of research on this group.
Stable Growth in Returnee Influx: We've observed a steady increase in the number of talents returning to China, attracted by the country's development. This trend is expected to continue, with more overseas-educated individuals returning and entrepreneurship remaining a focus. China's entrepreneurial policies for returnees, from the central to local levels, are well-developed and aligned with international standards, breaking down barriers and attracting talent back to China.
Enterprising Focus: The central and local governments in China are actively improving systems and mechanisms to attract returnees as international talents for entrepreneurship. This competition among various regions to attract returnees is notable.
Bronze Age of Returnee Employment: Since the 21st century, as the proportion of self-funded students has increased, the profile of overseas-educated individuals has shifted from an elite few to a more diverse and massified group. Consequently, the returnee community in China has expanded from high-end talents to include a wider range of skills and expertise, making them a vital part of the talent landscape in the new normal.
Era of Talent Circulation: We have observed that talent mobility in the past was perceived as relatively unidirectional, but this is not the case. It can be viewed as a special phase in the circular movement of students studying abroad. China should continue to deepen the reform of talent development systems and mechanisms and accelerate the construction of a globally competitive talent system. This will attract more returnee talents, enabling the utilization of global expertise.
Globalization and Talent Mobility: On one hand, cross-border talent movement is a normal phenomenon in the era of globalization. On the other hand, it is crucial to actively formulate policies that leverage the circular role of overseas-educated individuals, encouraging them to continue serving the nation. In this age of globalization, where knowledge is rapidly updated and information is widely available, local enterprises and new first-tier and second-tier cities are becoming increasingly attractive to returnees. This is closely related to China's urban and urbanization development. Moreover, the trend of returnees moving from developed first and second-tier cities to more grassroots areas is normal and plays a significant role in China's overall high-quality development.
Promoting National Public Governance: An increasing number of returnees are exploring and participating in the nation's public governance. With their international perspectives and advanced concepts, they are playing a crucial role in advancing national public governance and offering policy advice. The influence of this group is growing, as they establish various mechanisms, including think tanks like our CCG, which was founded by returnees. Other significant institutions, such as the Development Research Center of the State Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, are also home to a considerable number of influential returnee elites. These individuals and teams have become integral to the country's public governance.
Leading Chinese Enterprises Globally: We recently commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. With the advancement of this initiative, an increasing number of Chinese enterprises have begun expanding globally. These enterprises are vital carriers and stages for China's globalization efforts. In this context, returnees, with their extensive international experience and skills, play a crucial role. They are adept at navigating the global stage, significantly contributing to the international expansion and success of these Chinese enterprises.
Advancing High-Tech and Emerging Industries: Returnees have pioneered a wave of high-tech entrepreneurship in recent years, leading industry developments in strategic emerging fields such as life sciences, energy conservation and environmental protection, and information technology. China, in its comprehensive deepening of reforms, continues to harness the advantages of returnees in terms of their international perspectives, global experience, and technological expertise. This includes their strengths in innovating management models. The development of high-tech industries is driving adjustments in China's industrial structure, enabling the country to establish a firm foothold and advance confidently on the global stage. This represents an important area where returnees are expected to play a significant role in the future.
Enhancing Domestic Research and Exploring Educational Innovation: With the advancement and industrial upgrades in fields like AI technology, genetic technology, bioengineering, and aerospace technology, the demand for high-tech professionals is increasing. China should fully utilize the resources of millions of its overseas-educated individuals to enhance the country's research and development capabilities. This is an aspect of great concern to the Chinese government. In the realm of technological advancement, returnees can continue to play a significant role and contribute to the innovation of educational mechanisms. Their international experience and expertise are invaluable assets in bridging the talent gap in these high-tech fields.
Promoting People-to-People Diplomacy: The final trend I wish to emphasize is the importance of effectively conveying China's story, and engaging deeply with the international community through people-to-people exchanges, cultural communication, and grassroots diplomacy. Returnees are uniquely positioned to play a significant role in this next step, becoming a dynamic force in grassroots diplomacy and facilitating China's integration with the world. People-to-people exchanges form a crucial foundation, as repeatedly stressed by the General Secretary. Whether in China-U.S. relations or broader international interactions, these exchanges serve as essential cornerstones and lubricants of cross-cultural dialogue. They are particularly vital amidst tense international situations, laying the groundwork for global peace and acting as a stabilizing force.
Returnees have unique advantages in grassroots diplomacy in the new era of globalization, playing a significant role as connectors between China and the world. Their impact in this domain has been increasingly recognized in recent years and has started to play a significant role. Our Globalization Think Tank team has also made notable contributions in this area. We look forward to more overseas-educated returnees becoming active in grassroots diplomacy, fostering interactions between China and the world, and playing their part in cultural exchanges to contribute to global peace. This perspective is what we aim to convey through various conferences and discussions.
To summarize, I have reviewed our research on Chinese students studying abroad and Chinese returnees. Over the years, our think tank team has actively promoted this field, yielding tangible results. We have published 18 blue books, alongside numerous other books and reports. However, it's important to note that our work extends beyond research. We are not just a think tank but also a do tank. We have engaged in numerous activities and events to promote the concept of returnee studies and have contributed to the development of systematic and institutional structures that support the growth of returnee studies in China. Thank you very much for your attention.
***Pre-registration for the 10th China and Globalization Forum, May 25-26, 2024, is now open at the following registration link. Check out more information about this unmissable event here.***
More from the same event:
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|