Appeal of overseas studies grows

Since the first group of 30 Chinese schoolboys traveled to the United States in 1872 to study science and technology, and learn about life in America, a steady stream of youngsters has headed overseas in search of a broader education.

According to figures from the Ministry of Education, between 1978, when the country launched its policy of reform and opening up, and the end of last year, more than 1.2 million Chinese students studied abroad, of whom 319,700 later returned home.

Last year alone, almost 145,000 youngsters furthered their education on foreign soil, of whom 44,000 returned home, 5 percent more than in 2006, the ministry said.