The purpose of this special issue is to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the internationalization and sustainable development of higher education systems in China. To shed light on the strategies and initiatives adopted by Chinese universities and policymakers to enhance global competitiveness while promoting sustainable practices, this topic seeks to integrate research and insights from a variety of disciplines, such as education policy, international relations, economics, and sustainable development.

The special issue welcomes submissions that address topics such as internationalization strategies, cross-border collaborations, student and faculty mobility, curriculum internationalization, sustainable campus operations, and the role of higher education in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China. In addition to fostering dialogue and exchange of ideas between scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, this special issue aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to shape Chinese higher education systems to become globally competitive and sustainable. The journal accepts manuscripts from a variety of disciplines and multiple types of articles, including original research, reviews, book reviews, etc.

Higher education policy; Internationalization; Sustainable development; China; Global competitiveness; Cross-border collaborations; Student/Faculty mobility; Curriculum internationalization; Sustainable campuses; Special Administrative Regions; Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)