Beijing currently hosts more than 55,000 overseas students, according to an educational official of the city.

The students are studying in 75 universities and 85 middle or primary schools in the Chinese capital, said Xian Lianping, spokesman with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, on Saturday.

The official attributed the success of Beijing's role as a popular destination for study to its promotion of education resources during its annual education expo and its enhanced communication with international organizations.

Beijing's universities, middle or primary schools have up to date launched 161 exchange programs with their counterparts in foreign countries, and these played a significant role to enhance mutual educational exchange, he said.

The municipal government has also funded scholarships for overseas students, which is another attraction for them to stay in the city to pursue study, he added.

The establishment of 54 Confucius institutes or classrooms by the city's 13 universities and four middle schools, which aimed at promoting Chinese value and culture overseas, is also conducive to the promotion of Beijing's education resources, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2008)