Joint programs between Chinese and overseas institutions play an important part in China's academic exchanges with the outside world and have become increasingly popular in China.
Statistics show that 657 such programs have been opened in China currently, to offer degrees recognized both in China and the country or region concerned.
The figure was about 70 in 1995 when official provisions for such joint programs were released.
These programs have introduced better quality teaching systems and school management to China and have played an active role in attracting talented people of high caliber to meet China's fast economic development, said sources with the Education Ministry.
These channels of education also offer many more career training choices to Chinese.
(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2002)
