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President Xi Jinping has urged overseas-educated experts and professionals to contribute to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, whether they return home or stay abroad.

Xi made the remarks at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Western Returned Scholars Association, an organization formed by Chinese returnees from abroad.

The gathering took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday morning and was attended by about 3,000 people.

Xi said the government supports students and scholars studying abroad, encourages them to return to China and guarantees them the freedom to come and go as they wish.

"You are warmly welcome if you return to China. If you stay abroad, we support you in serving the country in various ways," Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as saying.

The history of government-funded study overseas dates back to late 1840s. Since 1978, China has continually expanded the number of students sent to study abroad.

Between 1978 and 2012, 2.64 million students were sent overseas, with 1.09 million (41.3percent) returning to China.

On Monday afternoon, representatives of those educated overseas gathered in the Beijing office of the Western Returned Scholars Association to offer their perspectives on the issue of foreign study. The association will compose the discussion into a report for the benefit of decision-makers.

"Xi's words allow overseas-based Chinese like me see new opportunities to serve our homeland," said Gu Xuewu, a professor at the University of Bonn in Germany.

Gu said that Xi's speech provided a new option for foreign-based Chinese who prefer to live abroad rather than return to China.

"Take me, for example. I have stayed in Germany for so many years that I might have difficulty integrating into the new environment if I return. So it is worthwhile studying how to establish a mechanism for people like me to do something for our homeland," Gu said.

Questions:

1. What does President Xi want overseas educated experts and professionals to do?

2. Where did President Xi make his remarks on this subject?

3. How many students were sent overseas between 1978-2012?

Answers:

1. Contribute to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

2. At a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Western Returned Scholars Association,

3. 2.64 million

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.