Beijing Language and Culture University plans to expand its international student population to 16,000 by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), with degree-seeking students expected to reach 8,000, according to university president Duan Peng.

In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Duan said BLCU currently hosts 12,000 international students for the 2025 academic year — a 3.5-fold increase from 2023. Among them, 4,300 are undergraduate, master's or doctoral candidates, marking a fivefold rise in degree-seeking students over the same period. The university now ranks first in China for both total international enrollments and degree-pursuing international students.

"Our historical peak was in 2009, with about 8,000 to 9,000 international students. Today we have surpassed that," Duan said."Back then, degree students numbered around 1,500; now we have over 4,300 — more than double."

Since its founding in 1962, BLCU has cultivated 300,000 international alumni, including 300 ambassadors. Among them are 11 current foreign ambassadors to China who are BLCU graduates.

"These alumni serve as enduring bridges of friendship and understanding," Duan said.

To achieve its 2030 target, BLCU is leveraging its global network of 29 Confucius Institutes and classrooms, four China institutes, Tokyo College of BLCU, Beijing Language and Culture University Bangkok College, BLCU Kazakhstan and the BLCU Saudi Arabia program.

The university has diversified its academic offerings beyond language education to include business, artificial intelligence, computer science and joint engineering programs.

Looking ahead, Duan said the university will broaden its outreach to attract outstanding students worldwide.

"The goal of making China a top study destination is one that all of us in higher education should strive for," he said.

Andriantina Princie Fandresena, a 21-year-old doctoral student from Madagascar, said she has been in China for nearly three years and considers BLCU her second home.

"I share my daily life on social media — the campus, the scenery, even Chinese songs I've translated into Malagasy — to help more people understand China. I am also researching how to introduce Malagasy culture to Chinese friends," she said.

She added that she often posts practical tips for prospective students from Madagascar, helping them navigate the application process.

"I want more people from my country to experience studying in China," she said.

Another student, Zechariah Werner Levi from the United States, gave up a career in commercial real estate to study at BLCU.

"I wanted to improve my Chinese and understand the Chinese market," he said. "China is hyper-focused on the future — AI, electric cars, consumer services. I hope to work between the US and China someday."

He has since invited his father, mother, brother, sister and best friends to visit China.

"Showing the real China is the best way," he said.

He also posts on social media to give US citizens a more authentic picture of daily life in China.

"I haven't felt any discrimination — people are super nice and welcoming. And the digital ecosystem here — WeChat, delivery, even calling taxis — makes the US feel so slow when I go back," he added.