Shanghai wants to attract more international education companies to open schools in the city to meet the needs of the rising number of foreign residents.

Shanghai currently has 32 international schools for foreign children, which have more than 24,000 students enrolled, according to Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

Most of these schools are located in the Pudong district and Minhang district, said Yang Weiren, an official from the commission’s international exchange and cooperation department.

“In the future we’ll gradually adjust the layout of international schools. More schools will be opened in other districts to meet the demand of the rising number of foreigners who live and work in the city,” he said.

Shanghai will encourage more world-class education groups and companies to open international schools in the city, he said.

Shanghai also encourages foreign students to study in local schools on the condition they pass the language requirement. Related departments will provide Chinese language training for foreign students, Yang said.