With increasing more exchanges in the fields of economy and culture between China and Korea, the number of Korean students in China has reached 54,000, accounting for 38 percent of the total foreign students in China. The number also ranks South Korea first among other foreign countries. South Korean Ambassador Kim Ha Joong revealed the figure during the Shaanxi-South Korea Friendship Week which ran from November 17-21 in Xi'an.

 

Students from South Korea form the largest foreign students group in China, followed by Japan, the US, Vietnam and Indonesia.

 

The fast growing bilateral trade between China and South Korea makes it easier for these visiting students to find employment when they return home. There are also natural ties: the history of the two countries, cultural similarities and they're neighbors.

 

In addition, an increasing number of South Koreans are making a living in China. As many as 400,000 now live permanently in China. There are more than 670 flights between six South Korean and 30 Chinese cities per week. According to the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, by the end of November 2005, 39 South Korean financial businesses in the bank, securities and insurance sectors had 209 branches throughout the world, and the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong top the list, home to 64 such branches.  

 

(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, November 22, 2006)