改革开放以来中国留学政策的历史变迁

The historical changes of China’s study-abroad policy since the reform and opening up

摘要:

改革开放40多年来，中国政府已逐步建构起一整套与时代要求和科技人才发展所需相适应的“走出去”与“引进来”并重的留学政策体系框架。留学政策在科技人才的出国留学活动和回国发展的选择中发挥了引领和指导作用；同时，国际环境的变化和科技人才的留学实践也给中国留学政策的调整和完善带来重要影响。在整理分析1978－2023年间400余份中国留学相关政策的基础上，选取具有里程碑意义的关键事件作为切入点，运用内容分析法，将中国留学政策的演变历程划分为重回轨道（1978－1984年）、调整发展（1985－1991年）、制度规范（1992－2012年）、优化成熟等（2013年至今）4个时期，归纳总结每个时期政策的出台背景、战略调整、典型特征、实施效果等。最后，回溯历史，着眼于新时代科技创新发展需求，强调在制定留学归国政策时必须结合不同时期的国内外形势进行灵活调整，同时进一步优化留学资助、管理与服务，完善留学科技人才归国就业创业的扶持政策，构建开放包容的现代化人才引进机制。

Abstract:

Over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, the Chinese government has gradually established a comprehensive framework of study-abroad policies that balances “going out” and “bringing in”, aligning with demands of the times and the development needs of scientific and technological talent. These policies have played a leading and guiding role in decisions regarding the overseas study and returningfrom abroad of scientific and technological talents. Meanwhile, changes in the international environment and the practical experiences of such talent have significantly influenced the adjustment and refinement of China’s study-abroad policies. Based on the analysis of over 400 policies issued between 1978 to 2023, this paper selects milestone events as entry points and applies content analysis to divide the evolution of China’s study-abroad policies into four stages: restoration of order (1978-1984), adjustment and development (1985-1991), institutional standardization(1992-2012), and optimization and maturity (2013-present). Each stage is summarized in terms of the policy background, strategic adjustments, typical characteristics, and implementation outcomes. Finally, reflecting on history and focusing on the demands of scientific and technological innovation in the new era, the study emphasizes the need for flexibility in tailoring return policies for overseas students to the domestic and international circumstances of each period. It also advocates further optimizing financial support, management, and services for study-abroad programs, enhancing support policies for the employment and entrepreneurship of returning talent, and building an open and inclusive modern talent recruitment mechanism.