The survey also showed that returnees were encouraged by the good momentum of Chinese economy and the country's talent policy.

China at present has 321 industrial parks, housing 24,000 enterprises, where returned overseas students can start their own businesses. Last year, returnees participated in 19,000 research and development projects.

"The wave is likely to continue in the coming years as there is still ample room for improvement," said Zhou Shiping, an official with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

He explained that there were 16 companies for every 1,000 people in China, much lower than 44 in Germany, 43 in Japan and 26 in the United States.

Tang Tao, vice minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said earlier this year that the government will improve measures to persuade Chinese students to return home, including better public services and projects such as the "Thousand Talents" recruitment program for global experts launched in 2008.