Should students seek profit from property?

Recent reports by Canadian media said that some Chinese students have made considerable profits - in a typical case C$1.16 million ($870,000) - by flipping property while studying in the country. This has attracted widespread attention from people in Canada and China and has triggered heated discussion.

Pros

"I don't think it's a bad thing, because such a move by students abroad is obviously backed by their parents, who are generally wealthy and want to increase their assets. It's normal for families like these to trade in real estate in the country or city where their children are studying, and is a perfect choice because owning a house could save them a lot of money on accommodation. Not to mention that they could possibly make a considerable amount of money by selling the property after the children graduate."

He Chugang, general manager of the South China region at Amber Education, an overseas studies consulting agency

"I believe that living abroad gives everyone the opportunity to experience a new way of living. If the Chinese students are gaining this kind of experience when studying in another country and it is not forbidden by law, then I think it is completely fine to go beyond the established scheme and to dare go further. But I can't imagine myself doing that. In my opinion, when we study abroad, we are all ambassadors of our countries."

Rebeca Ruiz Contreras, a student from Mexico who is studying at Beijing Language and Culture University

Cons

"I think this can be called 'locust behavior', when these Chinese eat all their native courses, the next move is to fly to Canada to take advantage of a less competitive real estate market. Even though it has made huge profits for property speculators, real estate speculation is detrimental to a nation's economy. However, on the other side, this kind of business acumen is worth learning. I am surprised by these shrewd young Chinese students who are seizing the right time to trade."

Liu Yuting, a junior at University of Connecticut

"I don't think it's a good thing for Chinese students to do that because students should make studies their priority. Seeking exorbitant profits from real estate abroad may bring uncertain risks and leave a negative impression about Chinese people on residents abroad. So my view is that unless a student is determined to work in related fields after graduation, they should stay away from such trades or behavior."

Tang Xiaobing, a Beijing resident whose son is studying at a university in the US