Inbound tourism numbers are on the rise, thanks in part to a growing number of overseas Chinese language students making visits to the country. [Photo by Yang Feiyue/China Daily]

The company hosted an introduction to China tourism event in the United Kingdom in September and nearly 100 participants attended and expressed an interest in exploring the country, Zhang says.

"We hope similar events will be held in more countries in future to invite more people in."

Most of the foreign students we have spoken to have shown a great deal of interest in traveling to China and using the opportunity of studying or working to see the country, Zhang explains.

The number of foreign students taking the HSK-Chinese proficiency test run by Zhang's company has continued to rise over the years. Last year, the test received 580,000 takers.

The number of test takers from Europe has grown by more than 20 percent over the past two years.

"It has helped to draw many European students to study and travel in China," Zhang says.

Salionova is in her first year at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, Liaoning province, studying international trade.

"I'll spend my first year traveling to improve my Chinese. I've made lots of friends living in all four corners of the country, and they will let me stay with them," Salionova says.

Salionova plans to move to Shanghai after her graduation and hopes to get a job that will help improve Russia-China relations.

Top 10 sources of foreign travelers to China

South Korea

Vietnam

Japan

Myanmar

United States

Russia

Mongolia

Malaysia

Philippines

Singapore

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn