How Does International Education Exchange Affect China’s Exports? Evidence 54 Countries along the “Belt and Road” in 2007–2018

Abstract

International educational exchanges have brought favorable conditions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Taking 54 countries along the “Belt and Road” as a sample, the article links the “Belt and Road” education exchange with China’s export and analyzes the internal logic mechanism of education exchange affecting China’s export. The study found that studying in China and opening Confucius Institutes significantly promoted China’s export to countries along the line. Among them, Confucius Institutes promote China’s export less than overseas education, and the trade creation effect of overseas education in China is significantly different in different types, regions, and economic development levels. Further research shows that education exchanges can promote China’s export by promoting human capital accumulation in trade partners and establishing internationally friendly relations. Because of this, the international community should actively carry out educational exchanges, enrich exchange forms, improve the level and quality of educational exchanges, and provide international talent support for trade cooperation while promoting the construction of friendly economic and trade relations.