Southeast Asia's Academic Ascent: Chinese Students Seek Stability and Cultural Exchange

Amidst geopolitical shifts, Southeast Asia emerges as a favored destination for Chinese students, fostering cultural understanding and reshaping educational landscapes.

As global tensions between the US and China intensify, the competition has extended beyond trade routes and technological advancements, permeating university campuses. Visa restrictions, rising anti-China sentiment, and potential policy changes have prompted many Chinese families to reconsider their higher education choices. Previously attracted to prestigious institutions in the US and UK, an increasing number of students are now seeking safer, more stable, and geographically closer alternatives.

Southeast Asia, once considered a secondary option, is rapidly gaining prominence as a new academic haven. Qian Yaru, a Wuhan native, exemplifies this trend.

After completing her master’s in financial mathematics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and receiving offers from top US and UK institutions, she opted for Singapore to pursue her PhD in finance. "Singapore is a very safe city—especially for females," Qian, now on a full scholarship at Singapore Management University (SMU), explained. "The main reason I came here was because of the political uncertainty elsewhere." She added, referencing potential policy changes.

This influx of Chinese students is subtly altering China's image, transforming abstract geopolitical discussions into genuine friendships.

Simultaneously, more Southeast Asian students are choosing to study in China, drawn by its growing global influence and diverse academic offerings. This exchange helps to bridge cultural divides and reshape long-held perceptions on both sides.

Over the past decade, China has sent more students abroad than any other nation. According to 2023 UNESCO data, the number of Chinese students studying overseas reached a record high of 1,021,303. However, the US, a traditional key destination, has seen a sharp decline in these numbers. Over the past four years, the number of Chinese nationals studying in the US has decreased by 100,000, representing a 25% drop. Recent actions, such as US President Donald Trump revoking international student visas, have amplified concerns from universities.

On April 9, China’s Ministry of Education issued an advisory, encouraging students to carefully assess the risks of studying in the US. This warning followed a bill in Ohio that imposed restrictions on educational exchanges between Chinese and American institutions.

Chen Zhiwen from the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy stated, "Geopolitical tensions inevitably affect the international flow of students." He continued, "The US has been tightening its grip on China across multiple fronts—from trade to technology and now talent—creating a more hostile study environment." Dr. Ngeow Chow Bing, an associate professor and director of Universiti Malaya’s Institute of China Studies, noted that Western universities are increasingly perceived as less welcoming to Chinese students. Many Chinese students are now turning to Southeast Asian universities for "relative safety and proximity," according to Dr. Ngeow. He added that "many families are quite worried about sending their children to the West (and) have been looking for other options and naturally, Southeast Asia is one."

Qin Sansan, 20, also prioritized safety when deciding to study in Singapore. Originally from Guangzhou, Qin is currently in her final year at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Nanyang Business School. She noted that reports of frequent robberies and shootings in the US were significant concerns, adding that "even walking on the streets at night can be risky." She stated, "Places like the US and Canada are considered dangerous places. China is a country where guns are not common, so the presence of firearms makes it feel dangerous."

These choices reflect a broader trend of Chinese students moving away from Western universities, favoring Southeast Asian schools. Analysts believe this is reshaping the region’s educational landscape, subtly supporting China’s soft power strategy. Michael Yang, after completing his master’s at UM in 2024, chose to stay in Malaysia to pursue a PhD in film studies and feminism.

“Malaysia is a melting pot of nationalities and cultures,” Yang said, explaining that he sought a "different educational environment." He engages with local and international students daily, forming numerous “positive connections.” Adjustments were not always easy. Yang mentioned that a significant challenge was adjusting to the culture and not eating pork. "I was also not used to (hearing) daily prayer calls at 6am, but after a year, I got used to it because that is the country’s culture and I need to respect it.”

Dong Ruofei, studying in Thailand, was motivated by a desire to escape the intense academic and work pressure in China. The 21-year-old student from Anhui stated, "Competition in China is extremely fierce and it takes three years to graduate,” adding she lacked confidence in passing. She continued, "Even if I did, the job market three years later might not be any better. The pressure in China can be overwhelming and I didn’t want to be just another statistic.”

Dong is pursuing her master’s in educational administration at Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, near Bangkok. She has learned conversational Thai and enjoys spending time with her Thai peers. She has even tried Muay Thai, Thailand’s national martial art. She considers cultural exchanges the highlight of her experience abroad. Her university hosts events for international students to experience Thai culture, such as Songkran and Thai Teachers’ Day celebrations.

Studying in Thailand has "reshaped her learning skills as well as perspectives of different cultures and approaches." Dong said, "Southeast Asia is not a second-best option. Students studying here are by no means inferior to those in Europe or the US. In fact, in some companies, we are even more favored by employers.”

Amidst China’s economic recovery, lower tuition, and more affordable living costs are becoming key considerations for many students and their families. Annual fees at prestigious American and postgraduate programs range from US$27,300 to US$47,770, while UK degrees cost between US$13,650 to US$40,945. Conversely, tuition at lesser-known Southeast Asian universities can be as low as US$5,000 annually, offering more financial viability. Weeks stated, "They are more likely to be price sensitive and feel that the most economically rational thing to do is sit out the (sluggish) job market for two years (while) living overseas." He continued, “If they have to decide between studying abroad in a less prestigious destination or not studying abroad at all, some will choose the less prestigious one.”

A 2024 survey by QS University Rankings found that 56% of Chinese students choosing to study in Southeast Asia cited affordability, including scholarships and a lower cost of living, as the most critical factor. Yang, a PhD student in Malaysia, has been on a tight budget, covering his rent and tuition. He stated, “The cost of study and living in Malaysia is very cheap compared to Western countries.”

Experts note that degrees from lesser-known schools in some Southeast Asian countries may not be recognized by Chinese employers, potentially creating challenges for graduates. Concerns about “shui bo” degrees, a term used by Chinese netizens for watered-down academic qualifications, have also sparked debate on Chinese social media.

Dr. Ngeow explained, “Chinese employers will have questions about degrees obtained from (lesser-known) Southeast Asian universities,” adding that students have reported their degrees not being recognized or viewed as credible by employers in China. Weeks noted that a Malaysian degree is unlikely to "really turn heads" among Chinese employers unless the graduate is in the top percentile. For Chinese students, it’s a trade-off between low costs and recognition among Chinese employers.

Experts indicate a mutually beneficial relationship between China and Southeast Asia in educational collaboration. Chinese universities are expanding their presence through vocational skills and bilateral exchange programs under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including overseas Chinese campuses in Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand.

Dr. Ngeow said that China wants to increase cultural and people-to-people ties and has the resources to do so. He also mentioned the country still "lacked a coherent soft power strategy" in the higher education sector. Daily interactions between Chinese students in Southeast Asia and their peers are "individual efforts" on the ground that have played a wider and more influential role in Beijing’s soft power strategy.

Ngeow also highlighted limitations. “I still will be careful to say that this does not necessarily translate into any immediate geopolitical impact," he said. "Whether geopolitical alignments can be impacted by this kind of educational exchange, I think, is very, very unlikely on its own," citing the distrust over the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines, which is unlikely to be resolved through student exchanges.

Sheena Low, a 24-year-old student at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, noted that her real-world experience of living and studying in China has been very different from negative opinions online, providing her a broader perspective. She shared, “I do like China. I like Chinese culture like C-dramas and Chinese idols. The people I’ve met here, from street cleaners on the street to aunties and uncles, have all been very friendly and are there to help if you need it.” She misses Singaporean food and her mother.

Dong sees a "mutually beneficial flow of knowledge" between Chinese and Southeast Asian students. "For China, Southeast Asian students bring diverse perspectives and help fill talent gaps in fields like Southeast Asian studies and lesser-taught languages. For Southeast Asian students, China’s strengths in technology, engineering, and career opportunities offered under the Belt and Road initiative are highly attractive … and if this trend is supported with measures like bilingual mentors, it could accelerate the formation of a regional talent network."

Yang foresees more Southeast Asian students studying in China. “By traveling to China for further studies, Southeast Asian students will have a more positive impact on the development of their home countries.” Low stated, "When you go to China to study, you get to see China in a different way and how it treats international students very well. It’s this cultural exchange that will help strengthen ties between countries and I think that is the most important part.”

Qian stated she has no regrets about studying in Singapore. She stated, "I expected a cultural shock when I arrived because I was still a foreigner, but there was none. Singaporeans and Chinese students share a “similar Asian mindset”, which reminded her of her hometown, creating an immediate connection. She also stated, “I’ve found that people here are genuinely kind and I can truly trust strangers on the street. Once, I lost my power bank in a food court and several strangers came over to help me search for it - something you wouldn’t see in China, where people are less trusting and more focused on their own lives.” It's precisely these day-to-day experiences - subtle and personal - that are bridging the gaps.

Weeks stated, “What actually shapes views? It’s classmates, roommates, professors, (because) it is hard to demonise people that you are friends with. That, in itself, is soft power.”