Chinese Returnees Forum: More Chinese studying abroad return home in bid to develop China
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Over 80% of Chinese students studying abroad returned home to China last year. These returnees, popularly known as "sea turtles", are already a major force contributing to China's development. At a Chinese returnees forum in Beijing Tuesday, scholars, entrepreneurs and investors weighed in on the future.
It's been over 140 years since the first group of Chinese students began studying abroad. And through the decades, as generations and generations of students furthered their education overseas, their priorities shifted -- from saving China to developing China.
But with the number of returnees growing, and better access to education globally, there is now not much of a disparity between those who pursue education abroad and in China.
XIONG XIAOGE IDG GLOBAL CHAIRMAN "Language is no longer a competitive advantage. However, I would say, to increase your exposure is crucial. Besides academic studies, try as much as you can. Here's one piece of advice to younger generations, take advantage of your internships abroad, find a company that you like, learn about how it works, then find your partners back home."
As a successful investor, Xiong says his next target is to invest in companies with a notable global presence. He says, returnees familiar with the global market have more advantages. On the one hand, the growing number of returnees speeds up China's development. But the country's rapid development has pushed returnees to long for quick success. And for those studying in the fields of science and technology abroad, this is an unrealistic goal. Hastiness pushes success even further away.
DU XIANGWAN, MEMBER CHINESE ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING "More haste, less speed. It's reasonable that everyone's anxiously hoping China will become stronger and more developed as soon as possible. But we need to take our time and be focused. Only through concentrated practice can we get to the fruit. It's not contradictory at all to our Chinese dream of achieving a better-off future."
Du encourages the younger generation to gain knowledge based on passion and interest. He also hopes China cultivates students with more vitality, creativity and honesty. He says good character makes a good scientist, thus contributing more to the country.