China, home to a population of 1.41 billion, has a rapidly evolving educational landscape and is the largest source of international students in the world. The country’s swift economic growth has established it as a global powerhouse, with major metropolitan cities leading in innovation and development. Hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou drive the economy and serve as centres for finance, technology, and education. These cities attract international students seeking high-quality education and career opportunities.

China has established itself not only as an economic superpower but also as an attractive educational hub. Interest in China, particularly among Bangladeshi students, is growing steadily, a development rooted in the historical relationship between the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China on 4 October 1975, cooperation in education has expanded. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has prioritised Bangladesh in providing scholarships, enabling thousands of young people to access world-class educational institutions.
Currently, around 12,000 Bangladeshi students are studying in China, a significant number compared with other South Asian countries. This presence is not only about degree attainment but also about shaping long-term career trajectories, facilitating knowledge transfer, and strengthening people-to-people bonds between Bangladesh and China. These students, well-versed in China’s economic development, technology, and cultural diversity, contribute to their homeland after returning.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, China began admitting students from other countries in 1950, with only 33 students that year. The policy of Reform and Opening-up created new opportunities for the development of international student education. By 1990, the total number of international students in China had exceeded 10,000 for the first time. Numbers have since risen rapidly: 52,150 in 2000, 442,000 in 2017, and 680,000 by 2023, making China a new hotspot for international students.

China currently has about 3,000 international-standard higher education institutions, including approximately 2,500 colleges and universities and 300 specialised educational institutions. Of these, two-thirds are public and one-third are private. Higher education in China is offered at several levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. However, not all universities admit international students. Among foreign students, South Koreans represent the largest group, with more than 50,000, followed by students from Thailand, Pakistan, India, the United States, and Russia.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025, China secured five of the top 10 positions, with Tsinghua University and Peking University ranked as Asia’s top two universities. Other global rankings also highlight China’s strength. In the QS World University Rankings, six of the top 100 universities are Chinese, reflecting its significant academic presence. International experts predict this number will exceed 20 by 2025. The Academic Ranking of World Universities also places a considerable number of Chinese universities in the global top 100.

For Bangladeshi students, China is becoming a key destination for higher education. The country’s quality of education, strong research environment, and technology-driven teaching methods are steadily increasing their interest. Moreover, relatively easy admission, attractive scholarships, and job opportunities after graduation make China an appealing choice. Top universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Zhejiang University have become magnets, offering English-medium programmes that help international learners, including Bangladeshis, adapt more easily.

Many Bangladeshi students enrol in undergraduate programmes, particularly in medicine, engineering, information technology, business, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy. These curricula are increasingly aligned with international standards, ensuring global competitiveness. Others pursue postgraduate studies, including doctoral research, where they collaborate with Chinese professors on advanced topics such as climate change, sustainable development, robotics, and biotechnology. These engagements allow them not only to advance their own careers but also to contribute to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development upon returning.

China offers numerous opportunities for international students through its prestigious “Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS),” administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and overseen by Chinese embassies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly allowance, health insurance, and travel expenses. In the 2023–2024 academic year, 55 Bangladeshi students received the CGS. For 2025–26, the number has risen to 80. Since 1981, approximately 4,500 Bangladeshi students have benefitted from the CGS, many of whom have made notable contributions to research, technology, and education both in Bangladesh and internationally.

Additional scholarships available to Bangladeshi students include provincial and municipal government awards, MOFCOM scholarships, the Silk Road scholarship, university-level grants, Confucius Institute scholarships, vocational education scholarships, and many others. These often cover tuition, accommodation, and even living expenses.

The critical question, of course, concerns the career trajectory of Bangladeshi graduates educated in China. The outlook is highly promising. Many return home with a distinct competitive edge, not only as engineers, doctors, or IT specialists but as professionals who also understand China. As Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and key foreign investor in infrastructure projects – from ports to power plants to telecommunications – China generates strong demand for experts who can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. Graduates often secure roles in the Bangladeshi offices of Chinese firms such as Huawei, ZTE, CCC, China Power, and CRCC, or in local teams managing mega-projects like the Padma Bridge Rail Link or the Karnaphuli Tunnel.

Others leverage their experience on a global stage. Some pursue further studies or research in China or third countries, while others embrace entrepreneurship. Many identify gaps in the Bangladesh–China trade relationship, establishing import-export businesses, consultancy firms, and tech start-ups. Their ventures range from trading Chinese electronics to introducing Chinese agri-tech solutions in Bangladesh. In this way, they become not just job seekers but also job creators, contributing directly to the national economy.

Bangladeshi students in China are also emerging as strategic pioneers. They pursue accessible, high-quality education to strengthen Bangladesh’s crucial economic partnership with China. On returning home, they bring not just diplomas but also language skills, professional networks, cultural understanding, and resilience. These students are vital to reinforcing people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and China. By investing in their education, China is cultivating a new generation of leaders equipped to contribute to Bangladesh’s development and to navigate 21st-century geopolitics with confidence.

Mohammad Saiyedul Islamis a senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages), Sanming University, China