Foreign students make dumplings with Chinese teachers to celebrate Spring Festival at Tianjin University on Feb 17, 2015. [Photo /Xinhua]

More than 375,000 students arrived on the Chinese mainland from around the world for studies last year, a 5.77 percent increase over 2013, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday.

The 377,054 students came from 203 countries and regions, according to figures released by the ministry.

The numbers coming from Oceania and Africa last year increased dramatically, but those coming from the Americas fell a little.

A total of 6,272 students came from Oceania, a 32.24 percent increase year-on-year, while the number of those from Africa - 41,677 - rose by 24.93 percent from 2013. The numbers coming from the Americas dropped by 2.45 percent, but the ministry did not give a reason for this.

Some students said they came to study in China because they were attracted by the country's political and economic development.

James Mwita, 30, from Kenya, said: "China has a system that is working, and its political system is efficient. Its economic and social developments are impressive, and I hope my country can emulate them."