How to Make Chinese Friends as an International Student

Sometimes, studying abroad in a foreign country can be stressful, especially when you’re alone. When you’re studying in China, befriending Chinese people can be very helpful; they can help you with day-to-day problems, local tips and tricks, and your language learning journey! A Chinese friend can teach you local words and phrases, as well as give you opportunities to practice your language and better understand cultural nuances, helping you speak more confidently.

So, you might be wondering, “how do I make friends?” “how to make Chinese friends as a foreigner?”

This article will explore ways to meet new Chinese people, useful tips and tricks, phrases to use, and activities you can do to make and keep your Chinese friends!

1. Be Yourself and Stay Open-Minded

Many Chinese people are genuinely curious about foreigners, especially if you have Western features. Strangers might stare, or approach you to ask questions. Don’t interpret this as rudeness, they are just interested in your culture, and you can take advantage of their curiosity to make new friends!

Tip: Instead of being defensive, respond with humor and friendliness. If someone asks where you’re from or comments on your appearance, or asks to take pictures with you, just smile and engage! It’s a great way to start a conversation.

2. Join University Groups, Clubs, and Events

Many Chinese universities have student associations, clubs, and social events. These are the easiest platforms to build friendships.

Student Unions & Interest Groups: Sports clubs (basketball, badminton, table tennis) are especially popular in China. Even if you’re not great at sports, you can still play some games with them and bond! Many Chinese people are also eager to teach you Chinese sports like table tennis, so you can take advantage of this to learn!

Cultural Festivals: Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival galas, or talent shows often invite international students to join performances. This is a chance to showcase your culture and learn theirs.

Volunteer Activities: Many Chinese universities organize volunteer work like teaching in rural schools. Working together with locals gives you a chance to learn Chinese working culture.

Tip: Don’t just attend once. Consistency is important, showing up repeatedly makes people see you as part of the group. They may start inviting you to events outside of these clubs and work activities, say yes!

3. Take Advantage of WeChat – Your Friendship Tool

Does China have social media? Of course. Wechat is a popular Chinese social media. Everyone in China is sure to have WeChat. Remember to always add people after meeting them. Saying, “Can I add you on WeChat?” is totally normal.

Join group chats (class groups, dorm groups, club groups). Contributing actively helps people remember you.

Tip: If you get added to a group, introduce yourself briefly in Chinese: 大家好，我是[Name]，来自[Country] (Hi everyone, I’m [Name], from [Country]). Chinese people are very warm and eager to make foreign friends, but they can be rather shy and introverted. Introducing yourself shows people you are friendly and open to conversations, making you approachable.

4. Respect Cultural Etiquette & Avoid Sensitive Topics

Friendships in China are often built on respect, so avoid topics that may embarrass someone or lead to conflict.

Topics to Avoid (at least until you know them well):

Personal Income or Wealth: Asking “How much do you earn?” or showing off money can come across as rude.

Family Pressure: Avoid joking about “Why aren’t you married yet?” or “Do your parents pressure you?” These are sensitive issues for many young Chinese. It’s okay to ask politely, but don’t make fun of them about this because they may be genuinely stressed out about it.

Face (面子): Don’t criticize or embarrass someone in public, even jokingly. In a hierarchical society like China, everyone has a reputation and prestige that can be gained, lost, and given. For example, criticizing others in public, refusing to take a gift, interrupting someone, or pointing out others’ mistakes can make someone “lose face”.

On the contrary, to “give face,” you can give praise and humble yourself when complimented. You can also give gifts to show them that you think they are important. It can be a Chinese New Year gift, a birthday gift, or just a random gift.

Unless you’re very close to them, teasing is also less accepted than in other cultures, and you should only do it in informal contexts. And remember not to criticize your friends in public, as it would make them lose face.

5. Leverage Roommates and Classmates

Your living and learning environments are natural places to meet new friends.

Roommates: If you share a dorm with Chinese students, this is your easiest opportunity. You won’t even need to go out of your way to “befriend” them, as conversations and quality time will come up naturally. You can invite them to try your country’s food, or ask them to teach you local snacks.

Classmates: Sitting next to Chinese people in class makes small talk easy. Asking to borrow notes or discussing homework is a natural icebreaker.

Tip: Chinese students may be shy to approach you first, but they’re very warm and open if you make the first move.

6. Understand and Build Relationship

Guanxi means “relationships” but it goes deeper, it’s about trust and mutual support. In friendships, this means:

Shared meals: Eating together (especially hotpot or BBQ) is considered one of the best ways to bond.

Gift giving: Small tokens (like snacks from your home country) can mean a lot.

Helping each other: Offer help with English, and accept their help with Chinese.

Tip: Don’t just be a “classmate”, be present in their daily life. Relationships in China blossom outside of formal settings.

7. Use Language Exchange to Connect

Chinese students love practicing English, and you can practice Mandarin. You can build friendships by starting a language exchange partnership. Studying languages through friendship can make it fun and non-monotone.

You can even arrange to meet once or twice a week: speak 30 minutes in English, 30 minutes in Chinese.

Use it as a chance to share jokes, idioms, and cultural slang.

Tip: Even if your Chinese isn’t great, trying matters. Most Chinese people appreciate the effort more than perfection.

Final Takeaway

Making Chinese friends as an international student isn’t as difficult as you might think. It’s just about small, consistent actions: showing up, respecting culture, and sharing life together.

Be friendly, use WeChat, respect differences, avoid sensitive topics, and bond through shared meals or hobbies. Over time, these connections will grow into the kind of friendships that make your time in China unforgettable.

Start Your Journey to Study in China Today

Choosing to study in China is a life-changing decision that opens the door to world-class education, cultural diversity, and exciting global opportunities. Whether you’re researching top China universities or preparing your China university application, having a trusted partner can make all the difference.

At ApplyForChina, we make the process simple and stress-free. From finding the right university to submitting your application, we’re here to support you every step of the way.