With the deepening internationalization of higher education, China has become a prominent destination for international students in the past decades, and more and more academic research are concerning the international students in China. This study employs bibliometric and visual analysis techniques, utilizing data from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and CiteSpace, to explore the evolution and emerging trends in research on international students in China between 2000 and 2025. By examining keyword co-occurrence patterns, institutional collaboration networks, and thematic clusters, we map the field’s key research areas, developmental stages, and major contributors. The analysis indicates a gradual shift from descriptive studies toward policy-focused and cross-cultural investigations, alongside increasing interdisciplinary engagement and institutional cooperation. These findings provide meaningful insights for future scholarship and educational policy development.
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