Chinese families planning to send a son or daughter to study in Australia have mainly dismissed concerns about student safety and political friction between the two countries.

Instead, families interviewed this week as they visited a Beijing education consultancy listed the positives of studying in Australia.

Despite two official safety warnings from Chinese authorities, Chinese students studying in Australian universities hit a record high this year with the number of students starting courses rising 22 per cent compared with last year.

Speaking at the offices of education consultancy Aoji, families revealed why they saw Australia as a desirable education destination.

Qiao Yuhang, 21, said he was looking for an overseas university where he could study for a postgraduate degree with a major in machinery, and Australia was a strong contender.

“My ideal destination is one that can provide good knowledge for my major, that is rich in culture and people there are friendly,” he said.

Read the full article by Zhang Yufei in The Australian