Education Effect of the Belt and Road Initiative-An Empirical Study on International Students in China

Abstract

International student education in China is an important aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative (bri) construction, as well as a beginning point for enhancing the internationalization level of education. China has become the world's top ten recipients of international students, and its worldwide influence on education is increasing. This research investigates the factors that influence the scale of international students in China and the impact of the bri on education by employing the "Push-Pull Theory". In particular, we find that joining the bri will significantly increase a country's student scale in China, both for degree and non-degree education. This effect is especially noticeable in the African region, as well as in middle-and low-income countries. These empirical findings support policy implications for international student education in China.