Together　with　fast　economic　growth,　the　international　mobility　of　students　from　China　and　to　China　is　also　experiencing　rapid　growth.　In　the　first　two　decades　of　the　new　century,　China　quickly　emerged　as　a　top　destination　country　for　international　students.　With　data　collected　from　39　Chinese　professionals　in　international　education,　this　study　aims　to　examine　China＇s　quick　ascendency　in　international　education　from　the　perspective　of　frontline　practitioners.　A　thematic　analysis　of　qualitative　data　points　to　a　few　areas　of　growing　pains　and　desired　system　transitions　in　China＇s　shift　from　quick　quantitative　growth　to　gradual　qualitative　improvement　in　international　education.