Is China’s Appeal for Foreign Students Fading?
We at beijingkids wish the very best of luck to those seniors at our city’s schools who will be receiving their acceptance letters from colleges round about now. Wherever they’re studying, we hope it’s the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning and discovery. Meanwhile, the dramatic growth in overseas students coming to China to study seems to have ground to a near halt. Almost half a million students, 80,000 of them in Beijing, from 196 countries chose Chinese universities for their studies – impressive numbers. However, this represents less than one percent increase on the previous year, while numbers grew at an average of 10 percent between 2006 and 2015. Whether this means that recent clampdowns and closures have diminished China’s appeal, or simply that the numbers have maxed out, remains to be seen.
Head to Outer Space, or at Least Shunyi, for Fun in a Good Cause
May sees a number of opportunities for Beijingers to help good causes while having some fun too. The American Chamber of Commerce holds its annual ball on May 11, with this year’s theme being “Mission to Mars” – perhaps the beginning of a new space race? AmCham promise dinner at the Tatooine Cantina, and a dancefloor that’s “out of this world.” Proceeds go to Educating Girls of Rural China. More down to earth, but no less dedicated to helping the needy, is the Mad Dogs China fundraiser at the Beijing Riviera on May 18, featuring ten bands and a chili cook-off. And there’s an intriguing newcomer to the Beijing scene on May 19: Run to the Beat, a marathon and half-marathon with music, in the incredible setting of the Ming Tombs. While this is a commercial venture, not a charity, there’s nothing to stop you signing up and getting sponsorship for your favorite cause. Details of all these activities can be found on our May Events calendar, right here.
The Hatchery Closes, But Promises New Sanlitun Location
The changing of the seasons in Beijing always brings sad closings of favorite purveyors of food and drink, and openings of exciting new prospects on the culinary scene. Culinary incubator the Hatchery is closing its Guomao venue The Arcade, home of Common Burger. But it’s not all bad news: at the time of going to press they were planning to reopen at a new, undisclosed location in Sanlitun, so keep an eye out for updates on our website and our sister publication the Beijinger.
the Beijinger Hot and Spicy Festival 2019
On April 20 and 21, there were over forty food and drink vendors prepped and ready for the Beijinger Hot & Spicy Festival 2019 at Galaxy Soho. China’s only spicy food festival featured a massive two-day Chili Pepper eating contest, a hot sauce testing station, a chili roulette game for the brave, two full days of entertainment, and lots of dancing.
Kita Kits, Andy P!
Once again we are saying goodbye to an important member of our team. Andy Peñafuerte III, or Andy P. as he is known to us, has been beijingkids’ Deputy Managing Editor since 2016, and he’s a well-known figure in other circles too, whether it’s networking with educators, organizing events for bloggers, or his activities in Beijing’s Filipino community. We wish him all the very best for his future adventures!
This article appeared in the beijingkids May 2019 Identity issue.
Photos: Uni You, Hatchery by Arcade, AmCham China, Adobe Creative Cloud, Andy Penafuerte III
