Chinese Consul General for increase in Indian students in

Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu today said the number of Indians studying in China and vice-versa still remained smaller as compared to students from other countries on study trip to China, and called for a rise in the numbers.

Zhanwu was addressing the Higher Education Expo, organised by the Chinese Consulate in cooperation with the School of Chinese Language here.

"Around 5.5 lakh students from China go abroad every year for study. And on the other hand, 4.5 lakh foreign students visit China every year to study in our institutions," he said.

In this backdrop, 18,000 Indians study in educational institutions in China while 2,000 Chinese students study in India in a year, Zhanwu said.

"So these figures of Indian and Chinese students visiting countries of each other are not enough and we need to work on it. Hope this expo will be successful in providing the right information about the education opportunities in China and lead to rise in numbers," he said.

The Chinese diplomat said education was very important in bolstering relations between the two nations.

He said the educational expo will provide a good opportunity to students to learn the culture and traditions of each other.

The expo "will help in better understanding of two nations," he said expressing hope that it will open floodgates for more exchanges on education and other frontiers with assistance and support from the government, chambers and other sectors of the society.