A total of 18 key universities -- including Peking University, Shanxi University and Tongji University -- have set up stands at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Science to present themselves in the two-day exhibition.

Wu Qidi, president of the university delegation and also Tongji University president said the trip by Chinese universities to Europe showed their willingness to open further to the outside world.

"At present, Chinese students swarm to Germany to study. We want this exhibition to be a turning point and get more German students to study in China," she said.

A student from Potzdam University collected five universities brochures and CDs introducing the universities.

"I haven't decided where I will study. I will have a good look at the materials at home, then I will decide," he said.

In addition to those traditional subjects that interest foreign students such as Chinese language and traditional Chinese medicine, others like economics management and architecture also attracted many visitors.

Sebastian Haunstein graduated from a German University and decided to continue his studies at China's Tsinghua University.

He also intends to find a job in China after he finishes his studies in the university. "China is developing fast. She has a splendid future," he said.

Some universities provided special subjects for foreign students at the exhibition. Beijing Sports University has offered "Chinese Kongfu" and "Dao Yin Qigong (a system of deep breathing exercises)" for students from abroad.

The Ocean University at Qingdao has established a new "foreign students-only" subject named "Doing business in China" to attract foreign students.

Thomas Flierl, education minister of the state of Berlin, said German students were increasingly showing an interest in studying in China.

China has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign students in recent years. According to the Chinese Education Ministry, foreign students in China increase 30 per cent every year.

Statistics indicate that some 62,000 foreign students enrolled at more than 360 Chinese colleges and universities last year.

In nearly 30 years following the founding of New China in 1949, only 50,000 overseas students came to study in China -- fewer than the current yearly total.

(China Daily November 25, 2002)