Internationalization Strategies in Chinese Higher Education: Balancing Global Integration and National Identity

Junxiu Liu

doi:10.71204/y4zs4259

Authors

Junxiu Liu University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71204/y4zs4259

Keywords:

Internationalization, Chinese Higher Education, Global Integration, National Identity, Education Policy, Cultural Identity

Abstract

China’s higher education system has rapidly expanded and pursued vigorous internationalization since the late 20th century, aiming to enhance global competitiveness while preserving national identity. This study examines the strategies employed by Chinese universities to integrate into the global academic community and the measures taken to maintain China’s cultural and ideological integrity. The analysis, grounded in policy review and literature, finds that Chinese higher education institutions have adopted a multifaceted approach: aggressively promoting outbound and inbound student mobility, forging international research collaborations, establishing joint programs and branch campuses, and implementing English-medium instruction to achieve global integration. Simultaneously, authorities emphasize national identity through curricula infused with Chinese culture and socialist values, tightened ideological oversight, and policies branding “internationalization with Chinese characteristics.” The results reveal a dynamic balancing act – Chinese universities are largely pragmatic and eclectic in learning from Western models while adapting them to local contexts. The discussion highlights successes (e.g. improved world rankings, increased foreign enrollment) and tensions (e.g. academic freedom concerns, “brain drain” versus “brain gain”) in this balancing process. The conclusion reflects on how China’s global engagement in higher education can coexist with its desire to safeguard national sovereignty and cultural heritage. This study contributes to understanding the Chinese model of internationalization, offering insights for policymakers and academic leaders on managing the interplay between global forces and national priorities in higher education reform.

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