According to a report by Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post cited by Observer Network, as living and education costs in Europe and the United States continue to rise alongside increased geopolitical uncertainty, more and more Chinese students are choosing to study in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
A Chinese international student predicts that the next 5 to 10 years will be a “golden era” for Chinese students seeking education in Southeast Asia.
Earlier this year, Kent Cai, an entrepreneur from Zhejiang, decided to pursue a Ph.D. overseas. Unlike most of his peers, he did not head to the US or Europe, but chose Malaysia instead.
After starting his research on AI-driven tools in media production on a campus in Kuala Lumpur, Cai realized he was not alone—he was one of a growing number of Chinese students choosing higher education in Southeast Asia.
Cai soon understood the reasons. Even before graduating, he was already commissioned by Chinese companies to participate in assessments for regional headquarters site selection, and has plans to establish a startup in Malaysia, using artificial intelligence and a bilingual workforce to build a content production center targeting the Chinese-speaking market.
He said: “In Southeast Asia, there are more opportunities to access venture capital than in China, and as a Ph.D. student, it is easier to attract the attention of investors.”
ASEAN Becomes New Frontier for Chinese Capital
According to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the number of Chinese student applications reached 16,823 in the first half of 2025, far exceeding the 10,670 in the same period in 2024 and the 8,948 in 2023.
Data from UNESCO also shows that the number of Chinese students studying in Thailand has risen from less than 6,200 in 2016 to 28,000 in 2024.
ASEAN has become the new frontier for Chinese capital. A report from ARC Group, an investment bank and consulting firm, noted that last year, direct investment from China in the region grew by 13%, driving total outward investment to $162.8 billion, mainly propelled by the overseas expansion of manufacturing firms.
Cai believes that the next 5 to 10 years will be a “golden era” for Chinese students in Southeast Asia. He predicts that students familiar with Chinese business culture and fluent in Chinese, English, and local languages will have unprecedented advantages in employment and entrepreneurship.
He said: “They will not only meet the needs of Chinese companies expanding overseas but also seize the opportunities brought by the rise of the ASEAN consumer market.”
Lucas Lu, also from Zhejiang, age 20 and currently studying at another university in Kuala Lumpur, said this trend reflects a new mindset among China’s middle-class families—seeking a balance among affordability, safety, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Lu said that for students who did not gain admission to China’s top universities, Malaysia offers lower tuition, moderate living costs, and a stable political environment, as well as universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings. He added that Thailand and Indonesia are secondary options.
Wu Muluan, Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, pointed out that more and more Chinese students are pursuing graduate studies abroad to boost their competitiveness in the Chinese and international job markets. Malaysia offers affordable and globally recognized English-based education, providing an alternative path that bypasses the West.
Tan Jing (pseudonym), who runs a study abroad consulting company in Guangzhou, said that based on client data, more than 20% of families who initially planned to apply for undergraduate programs in Europe and the US might instead choose Malaysia or Thailand.
A report from the Beijing think tank “Center for China and Globalization” also shows that the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative has made Malaysia and Thailand popular study destinations.
However, scholars caution that one should not overestimate the impact of Chinese students on local communities. Wu Muluan said: “Most of them are concentrated in Chinese-funded businesses and business ecosystems, and in the end, most of them will still return home, so their impact on local politics and society is limited.”
Influx of Chinese Students Brings Income to Malaysian Universities
Poon Yung Chiang, Director of the Malaysian Chinese Research Centre, said the influx of Chinese students has brought tuition revenue and vitality to Malaysia’s 400 universities, and society and the government generally hold a welcoming attitude.
But he also pointed out that Malaysia’s research and education levels still lag behind those of Europe, the US, and Japan, and many international students are there mainly to obtain degrees, with limited room for further development.
Poon stated: “Most graduates eventually return home, and those who stay tend to enter Chinese-funded businesses or start their own businesses locally, engaging in consumption and trade services.” He believes that in the long run, the value of Chinese students depends on whether they can become bridges for economic cooperation between China, Malaysia, and even China and ASEAN. “With the expansion of Chinese capital in Southeast Asia, some students may grow into a new middle class or even wealthy group, like the early Taiwanese or Korean businessmen, but the premise is to truly integrate into the local multicultural society.”
For Lu, choosing Southeast Asia is not just practical, but also a matter of personal preference. “The UK and Europe are no longer suitable for me. The environment in Malaysia makes me feel more comfortable,” he said, “Singapore and Malaysia are my top choices after graduation.”
But he also admitted that opportunities in Southeast Asia are not unlimited. “Even when working for Chinese companies here, you often face legal and cultural restrictions.”
Study Abroad Boom Depends on Global Situation
Wu Muluan stated that whether this study abroad boom can last depends on global circumstances. “If China-US relations ease, or Western inflation pressures subside, Southeast Asia’s appeal may quickly decrease.”
It is worth noting that recently, US President Trump has repeatedly stated he “welcomes Chinese students,” and even claimed he would increase the number of Chinese students to 600,000. But in reality, incidents of Chinese students encountering unwarranted checks and harassment in the United States are becoming more frequent.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun recently emphasized at a regular press conference that educational exchanges and cooperation are conducive to enhancing understanding among peoples of all countries. China hopes the US side will put President Trump’s “welcoming Chinese students” statement into practice, stop unwarranted harassment, checks, and deportations, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students.