(No.7 [2008] of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance)

The education departments (commissions) of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, the education departments (bureaus) of the relevant agencies (units), and the relevant institutions of higher learning:

In recent years, the Chinese economy has developed smoothly and rapidly, great progress has been made in the reform and opening up, the international status and influence of China have been significantly improved, the appeal of China to foreign students has become greater and greater, the number of foreign students coming to China has been on the rise, a host of youngsters who understand China and love Chinese cultures have been fostered internationally, and an important bridge for Sino-foreign friendship has been set up. With the sustainable development of the economy, the scale of foreign students receiving scholarships from the Chinese government for studying in China will continuously increase. To show our government's concern about the foreign students, after discussion, we have decided to make an adjustment of the standards for living expenses covered by scholarships for foreign students receiving scholarships from the Chinese government, as permitted by the state financial resources and in full consideration of the living needs of foreign students and factors causing the recent rising prices. We hereby notify you of the specific matters as follows:

1. From January 1, 2008, the standards for living expenses of foreign students receiving full scholarship from the Chinese government for studying in China shall be adjusted as: 1,400 yuan per month for an undergraduate or a visiting student in the Chinese language program, 1,700 yuan per month for a candidate for a master's degree or a general visiting student, and 2,000 yuan per month for a candidate for a doctoral degree or a senior visiting student.

The relevant institutions of higher learning shall, after receipt of this Notice, retroactively provide the additional living expenses from January 1, 2008 to the scholarship students studying in the institutions.

2. For a new scholarship student enrolled after January 1,2008, if the period of studies in China reaches one academic year, a one-time settlement allowance of 1,500 yuan shall be provided to the student in the first month; if the period of studies in China is less than one academic year, a one-time settlement allowance of 1,000 yuan shall be provided to the student in the first month.

3. In December 2007, the Ministry of Education reviewed and appropriated the living expenses of scholarship students for the academic year of 2007-2008 to all institutions of higher learning which receive scholarship students.

4. The relevant institutions shall do a good job in the publicity and education. The substantial increase of the standards for living expenses of scholarship students by the Chinese government fully shows the concern and care of the Chinese government about the vast foreign students. Hopefully, the foreign students will cherish their precious opportunities and time, abide by the school disciplines and study hard to become the ones with a good understanding of China, academic achievements and contributions to the building of their respective countries.

Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China

Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China

June 4, 2008