2025/06/17 by Tingsong Li, Jian Pan, Xiaohua Zong · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Higher Education Governance and Development #International Development and Aid #International Student and Expatriate Challenges
paper · doi:10.1177/10283153251350015
openalex publication_date 2025/06/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), spearheaded by China, aims to enhance human mobility and foster the exchange of goods across participant nations. Utilizing data from 2008 to 2018, this study employs a multi-period difference-in-difference (DID) approach to examine the BRI's impact on international student mobility to China. Our findings highlight a considerable positive effect of the BRI on the scale of international student inflow to China. The BRI's influence on international student mobility to China (ISMC) is facilitated through bilateral trade, mutual recognition of degrees and diplomas, and scholarship provided by the host country. These findings imply that for emerging high education systems such as China, it is imperative to strengthen trade ties with pertinent countries and establish a supportive institutional framework to attract international students and enhance their global influence.