How Does the “Belt and Road” Initiative Affect International Student Mobility to China?

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.