Chinese Vice-Minister of Personnel Shu Huiguo on Friday will send Spring Festival greetings by letter to students studying abroad.
Shu wrote in the letter that those Chinese students studying abroad are making valuable efforts for the prosperity of China.
"Your motherland and families are gratified with your progress and success," he said.
The Ministry of Personnel of China (MPC) always supports citizens to study abroad and gives Chinese people enough freedom in this regard, according to the letter.
Meanwhile, those who are studying abroad are warmly welcomed to return to and serve the motherland, Shu said.
As China encourages students to return with preferential policies, 150,000 students have come back to work for the country since 1978.
The rapid development of China's economy is providing them with many more opportunities, the letter said.
"The nation's future needs the attention and participation of the people who are studying abroad," said Shu. "The MPC welcomes more advice from you."
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2003)
