One of China’s leading institutions for global language and cross-cultural education is pushing forward with ambitious plans to grow its international student population, building on explosive two-year growth that has already cemented its top national ranking. In an exclusive conversation with China Daily, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) President Duan Peng outlined the institution’s rapid progress and long-term growth targets.
Between 2023 and 2025, BLCU’s total international student enrollment jumped 350% to hit 12,000, data shared by Duan shows. Over that same two-year window, the number of international students pursuing full academic degrees at the university increased even faster, rising fivefold from 2023 levels. These gains have pushed BLCU to the leading position among all Chinese higher education institutions, holding the top rank nationally for both total international student enrollment and the size of its degree-seeking international student cohort.
Looking ahead, the university is aiming for continued expansion through the end of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, which runs from 2026 to 2030. By the conclusion of that planning cycle, Duan said BLCU expects to grow its total international student population to 16,000, a further 33% increase from 2025’s record enrollment. The expansion aligns with broader national efforts to position Chinese higher education as a leading global destination for international study, strengthen people-to-people cultural ties between China and the rest of the world, and boost Beijing’s standing as an international education hub.
As a university long focused on promoting Chinese language learning globally and fostering cross-cultural exchange, BLCU’s enrollment growth reflects rising international demand for access to Chinese higher education and academic opportunities, university observers note. The planned expansion is also expected to deepen the institution’s role as a bridge connecting Chinese scholars and students with global peers, supporting broader academic collaboration and cultural exchange initiatives.