Overseas students show their Chinese calligraphy (Photo/CNS)

According to latest statistics, China has become the third favorite country for overseas students following the U.S. and the U.K.

"I choose to come to China because I am interested in Chinese and I have learned a little bit in my own country," said an Australian student with a Chinese name He Moxiu. "I think China's economy is tremendously strong so I choose international trade as my major." He is studying for a doctor degree in Beijing Jiaotong University.

He hopes he can form his family in China or work in a Sino-Australian company in Australia.

China has become the main driver of the world's economic growth since the Reform and Opening up in 1978. As China's comprehensive national power increases, an increasing number of foreign students have chosen to study in China.

Due to high investment from China to African countries, obtaining a degree is the goal of 84 per cent of African students studying in China.

Overseas students are also attracted by Chinese culture. China has seen 6 times growth in South Asian countries' students studying here in the past 10 years.

Overseas students help to promote mutual understanding between China and other countries and to improve China's image in the world as well as its influence.