International students in China have suffered from one of the world’s longest and harshest COVID-19 travel restrictions, with borders closed to most foreigners since March 2020, but things could start looking up.
A Malaysian minister was quoted saying that China could allow international students, including those from Malaysia, to return soon to resume their studies.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah was quoted saying by FMT that priority will be given to final-year students and those who need to use laboratory facilities for fields of study involving research that cannot be done remotely.
He was speaking after an inaugural meeting of the Malaysia-China High-Level Committee on the post-COVID-19 cooperation which was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Malaysian international students in China
Abdullah had reportedly told Malaysian media on December 4, “Wang Yi informed me that Malaysia was among the highest on the list of countries with students in China. He did not say when (students could start returning), but from what he told me, they want (the process to begin) as soon as possible.”
There were some 8,000 Malaysians studying in China, but they returned home when COVID-19 began spreading in the country last year. Currently, there are over 100 Malaysian international students in China who have not left the country.
Abdullah said Malaysia was currently waiting for the Chinese government’s announcement on the conditions and processes for students to return to their respective universities.
As most Malaysian international students in China are private students, the ministry will work with the Malaysian alumni to facilitate their return to China. Many of these students are currently pursuing different study fields that include science and technology, language and traditional medicine.
Source: Study International
https://www.studyinternational.com/news/international-students-in-china-mys/