Foreign agents locked out (4)

In defense of foreign agents

Wang Wanlong, an overseas study consultant and CEO of the California-based Wang Consulting International, told the Global Times that increased supervision would be sufficient, instead of a ban. "The ban, if passed, will go against the principles of fairness of the WTO," Wang said, adding that without these agencies which can be more knowledgeable when it comes to foreign universities, people applying to overseas schools may find that the situation becomes even worse.

Even domestic agencies sometimes rely on their foreign counterparts. An employee of a licensed Chinese agency said on condition of anonymity that her agency fears the ban could have negative ramifications.

"Some applicants ask us to help them with a change of university when they feel dissatisfied, and in these circumstances, we often seek help from those foreign agencies for their connections," she said, adding that the draft should provide more clarification on which agencies exactly will be banned.

Questions sent to the Ministry of Education on the draft did not receive any reply as of press time.