The present study employs panel data of 29 provinces and municipalities in mainland China from 2003 to 2016 to empirically investigate the influence of international students on China’s outward FDI. The results show that international students in China can significantly promote outward FDI in various Chinese provinces. Moreover, we observe a substitution effect with export scale and wage level, that is, attracting international students can offset the negative impact of insufficient export scale and low wages on regional OFDI (outward foreign direct investment). From a regional perspective, the growth in international students’ inflows in China has a significant positive impact on OFDI of provinces along “the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, but has no significant impact on the provinces along “the Silk Road Economic Belt”. The above conclusions not only elaborate the regional distribution mechanism of OFDI in China, but also provide a reference for each province to formulate more favorable policies to attract foreign talent to effectively implement the strategy of “going global”.

This study examines the economic impact of the influx of international students on the UK's trade in cultural goods, following the abolition of the post‐study work (PSW) visa, which previously allowed graduates from non‐EU countries to stay in the United Kingdom for at least 2 years after completing a UK degree. Using administrative enrolment data covering the universe of UK higher education sector spanning from 2008 to 2016, this study provides evidence that the PSW visa abolition corresponded with a 34.61% average reduction in the value of UK's cultural goods export trade to non‐EU countries (relative to that to EU countries). In contrast, the PSW visa abolition had no impact on cultural goods imports. Furthermore, the PSW visa abolition had pronounced impacts on cultural goods exports to countries with lower GDP, smaller populations and higher stocks of immigrants. These findings underscore the broader economic implications of policies affecting international student mobility, highlighting the need for careful consideration when avoiding unintended negative consequences on cultural trade.