For Khushboo Yadav, a student from India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, studying in China is an option as Chinese universities offer scholarships for students pursuing higher studies.

Yadav will join a three-year post-graduation program in Chinese literature at the Beijing-based Capital Normal University. The cost of living in some Chinese cities is much lower compared to the United States and European nations, she said.

Priyanshu Yadav, who graduated in Chinese language from Doon University in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, will pursue a one-year language course at Tsinghua University in Beijing beginning next month. After that, he may opt for an MBA at a Chinese university.

Proficiency in Chinese language with an MBA degree from a Chinese university can be a double bonanza, Yadav said. Chinese language interpreters are in high demand across numerous Indian government agencies and businesses, he added.

Indian students studying in various Chinese colleges and universities are cultural ambassadors, said Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong. They can foster people-to-people interaction and cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.

Addressing the students who received scholarships for higher studies in China at a function in New Delhi on Aug 20, Xu encouraged youths to become friendship bridges.

Both China and India are at a critical stage of national development and revitalization, and they enjoy broad common interests.

He said as major developing countries with ancient civilizations, China and India should adhere to mutual respect, understanding, trust and mutual accomplishment with youths expected to play their role.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 23,000 Indian students studied at Chinese universities. Xu said he hoped the number would again increase gradually.

More than 60 Indian students were awarded scholarships by the Chinese government this time to pursue higher studies at various Chinese universities.

"Delighted to meet Chinese Government Scholarship winners from India. The door of China is open to you all. Hope you will indulge yourselves in Chinese language, culture and society and become friendship ambassadors between China and India," Xu later wrote on social media platform X.

Monika Kumari, a student from Jawaharlal Nehru University, or JNU, in New Delhi, said that after pursuing a one-year Chinese language course in China she will opt for higher studies in international relations at a Chinese university.

Career boost

Higher studies in a Chinese university will help her to find a lucrative job in India as well as China, while proficiency in the Chinese language will boost her career prospects, said the student, who has completed her PhD at JNU.

Amit Ranjan Alok, who is pursuing a PhD in Chinese studies at JNU, will pursue a one-year language course at Beijing Language and Culture University. After that, he plans to return to India to complete his PhD.

Proficiency in the Chinese language will give him deep insights into Chinese culture, society and politics, and will help him in his goal of becoming an expert on India-China relations, he added.

Congratulating the Indian students, B.R. Deepak, professor of China Studies at the Centre of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, JNU, said the youths are embarking on a new journey to fulfill their dreams.

The professor said he was hopeful the bilateral relations between the two countries would improve further. Indian students studying in China should explore the cultural similarities between the countries, as they both have a rich cultural civilization, said Deepak, who attended the event at the Chinese embassy.

Earlier, Kong Xianhua, the Chinese Consul General in Mumbai, said Indian students can act as envoys and bridges for cooperation and exchanges between China and India, and make the Chinese dream and the Indian dream come true together.

Speaking on Aug 10 in Mumbai at a degree certificates award event organized by the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, University of Mumbai, Kong told the graduating students that he hoped they could actively participate in the cause of China-India friendship and cooperation.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.