Challenges exist

However, diplomas provided by Chinese educational authorities are not recognized by Malaysian government departments.

"If this practical problem cannot be solved urgently and well, the campus will be affected to some extent," said Song at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Xu at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences also raised concerns on this issue, saying Xiamen University must pay attention to race problems in Malaysia during the establishment of its campus.

"In Malaysia there are different attitudes to local Chinese people," he said. "Some local Chinese children cannot get a good education, even if they get good marks at school.

"Although the campus establishment will satisfy these people's demands, it should also be careful about the teaching being in conflict with local race policies."

In addition, if there are good faculties in Malaysia and teachers want to be employed by this campus, they should be given priority status, he said, adding: "All in all, the key to building a campus overseas lies in having an open attitude."

Although thrilled for her younger classmates who cannot afford to study overseas but will soon be able to receive an original education from China in the near future, Loke said she will stay in China as an international student.

"As a Chinese major student, I can visit attractions that I have read about in Chinese poems. But maybe for some majors such as mass media or biology, it's wiser and cheaper to stay in the homeland," she added.

Contact the writers at luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn, caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn and wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn

Sun Li in Fujian contributed to this story.