The presidents and senior staff members of four partner universities in China were in Port Macquarie from November 8 till November 10. 

The university has worked in partnership with the universities in a Chinese Ministry of Education approved Joint Cooperation Program for over 17 years. 

Charles Sturt University international education and partnerships pro vice-chancellor Heather Cavanagh said about half the visitors had been to Australia before but this was an opportunity for them to become educated about what the university and the greater region of Port Macquarie-Hastings has to offer. 

“Our strategy for Port Macquarie Campus is to grow both our domestic and international student numbers and we are well on target to achieve this,” she said.

“Nothing beats our valued partners seeing and experiencing the beautiful Mid North Coast region and the CSU campus, when it comes to promotion of global study opportunities for their students.”

Yunnan University of Finance and Economics vice president Yin Hong said he believes that many more students will come to Port Macquarie. 

“It is a beautiful landscape and a lot of the students are eager to come and study here,” he said. 

“If I were 30 years younger I would study here definitely.” 

Mr Hong said the relationship between China and Australia  on an educational basis remains strong. 

“One thing we want to mention which is important is people to people communication and people to people exchange,” he said. 

“That is the foundation for the corporation between two countries.” 

Mr Hong said members from the Chinese universities and the staff from the CSU campus all have a very close personal relationships. 

“This kind of friendship will enhance the relationships between the two countries,” he said. 

During their stay the guests went whale watching, visited the Billabong Zoo and dined at Bills Fishhouse and Bar.