Thousands of Chinese young people swarm to foreign universities each year, but returned scholars are playing a huge role in China's modernization.
As one of China's largest returned overseas students groups, the Western Returned Students' Association (WRSA), has had over 11,000 members since it was established 90 years ago, deputy chief Han Qide said here Wednesday.
Han, also vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, said on the 90th anniversary celebration of the WRSA that it had made new efforts to foster China's reform and modernization.
The WRSA held seminars to advise the government on critical issues, introduce foreign talent to China and encourage overseas students to return to serve or invest in their motherland, Han said.
China's aim to build a well-off society offered overseas students more opportunities to start their own businesses and to serve the country and the people, Han said.
China's encouraging policies would stimulate the pursuit of overseas education and inject vigor into the WRSA, Han said.
Established in 1913 by returned Chinese scholars and scientistswho studied in Europe and the United States, the WRSA includes members who have studied in 49 countries or regions, including 500who are still abroad.