BEIJING, May 27 -- Over 1.4 million Chinese overseas students returned to China after graduation in the past 35 years, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Tuesday.

The MOE cited figures that over 3.05 million people had pursued degrees in foreign countries from 1978, the beginning of China's opening-up policy, to the end of 2013.

Among the more than 1.6 million people who have not returned, 1.07 million are studying or doing research abroad.

Along with its rising strength and economic development, China's demand for talents is also on the rise, according to a statement issued by the MOE, and the number of students studying abroad and graduates returning to China will continue to grow rapidly.