More Chinese teenagers to study in US

BEIJING - Chinese teenagers studying in the United States has increased more than 60 times during the past decade, with experts believing the boom will continue into the future, a new study showed on Thursday.

Nearly 27,000 Chinese students were studying at US senior schools, public or private, during the school year 2012-2013, compared with 433 in the year of 2003-2004, according to a blue book published by the Social Sciences Academic Press on Thursday.

The book was compiled by the Center for China and Globalization.

China overcame South Korea in 2011 to become the largest source of overseas high school students in the United States, maintaining its position since.

The parents, holding high academic degrees, position or income, hope their children enjoy the style of education in the US and better their ability in foreign languages and independent life, according to the book.

The sharp increase of students receiving education in the US is expected to continue as more Chinese families gain wealth, according to the book.

Prolonged student visas and easier overseas applications are also helping more Chinese study abroad.

But experts warn that Chinese parents should not "blindly" send children overseas because teenagers may not be mature enough to live independently.

Some find it hard to finish school work or integrate into local communities, according to the book.