Nearly 100 Japanese high school students have started to study Chinese at Tianjin University in this major port city in north China.

The students are selected by the International Study Institute, a major education organization in Japan which helps Japanese students to study overseas.

The students will receive a three-month-and-a-half training program on Chinese language, said an expert with Tianjin University.

After the program, they will take part in a proficiency test on Chinese and attend various Chinese universities across the country to receive higher education.

During their stay in China, the students will also participate a series of exchange activities with local students.

Tianjin University has a 50-year history of Chinese education for overseas students. Last year, the university set up a special institute for international education programs.

At present, 400 foreign students from 30 countries and regions are studying at the institute.