On January 10, 2026, the Development Seminar of the G16+ University Alliance for Study in China was held at USTB. The event was co-hosted by Beijing Language and Culture University and USTB. Wang Jing, Deputy Director of the Department of International Student Affairs of the China Scholarship Council; Wang Shan, Senior Program Officer of the International Students Division of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education; and representatives from 25 universities across China attended the seminar. Ma Xiaolei, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Beijing Language and Culture University, chaired the meeting.

Thematic Presentations by Wang Jing, Wang Shan and Huang Meixu

Wang Jing delivered a special presentation on the Academic Proficiency Test for International Students Applying for Undergraduate Programs in China, explaining in detail the test’s positioning and rationale, its design and implementation procedures, and future work considerations. She noted that the fundamental purpose of the test is to improve the quality of education for international students in China and safeguard the reputation of the “Study in China” brand. She called on universities to attach great importance to the test, actively explore its implementation, and promote it widely, so as to contribute to the high-quality development of international education in China and the building of a leading country in education.

Wang Shan gave a thematic report titled “Improving the Full-Chain Digital Service System for International Students in China and Strengthening the ‘Study in China’ Brand,” introducing the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange’s support for international education in China and its brand promotion efforts across three stages: before arrival, during study in China, and after graduation. She pointed out that China’s education service trade is in deficit and that China still needs to enhance its influence and discourse power among global youth. She expressed the hope that, by building platforms and exploring pathways, the Center can help universities address development bottlenecks and jointly enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of studying in China.

Huang Meixu, representative of the G16+ University Alliance, Chair of the Shanghai International Student Education Research Committee, Director of the International Education Center of East China Normal University, and Party Secretary of the School of International Chinese Studies, delivered a thematic report titled “Standing on the World Stage, Telling China’s Story.” Huang summarized the significance and goals of education on China’s national conditions and the current situation and challenges of the “second classroom” for international students. She shared East China Normal University’s practical explorations, outcomes, and future reflections, and proposed strengthening systematic, open, and institutional thinking as well as thinking that integrates Chinese and international elements. She stressed that education on China’s national conditions should enable students to experience life in China, understand Chinese culture, and have China-friendly experiences, so as to cultivate international talent who can speak for China.

Remarks by Zhang Yanli, Wang Weimin, Jiang Xiaotao and Ma Wei

Zhang Yanli, Party Secretary of the School of Chinese Studies at Shanghai International Studies University; Wang Weimin, General Manager of Lianhua International Insurance Brokerage (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; Jiang Xiaotao, Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations at Peking University; and Ma Wei, Director of the International Student Development Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered remarks.

The G16+ University Alliance for Study in China was established on May 26, 2016. With the core mission of serving the national strategy for opening up education, it is committed to building a collaborative development platform for international education in China.

Participating universities (listed alphabetically): Peking University; Peking University Health Science Center; University of Science and Technology Beijing; Beijing Institute of Technology; Beijing Normal University; Beijing Language and Culture University; Donghua University; University of International Business and Economics; Fudan University; Guangdong University of Foreign Studies; Harbin Engineering University; Harbin Institute of Technology; East China Normal University; South China University of Technology; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Jinan University; Xiamen University; Shandong University; Shanghai University; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai International Studies University; Tongji University; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Southwest University; Sun Yat-sen University.