通过对清末以来130余年中国留学潮历史的回顾，溯觇了前八代留学生的经历和贡献；重点论述了20世纪50年代第九代留学生在中国现代史中的地位和作用；展望了改革开放以来第十代及以后留学生的走向；简要辑录了自辛亥革命至中华人民共和国成立期间在革命斗争中被反动派杀害、为国捐躯的成千上万归国留学生中的数十位代表；概括记述了归国留学生在上至领袖人物，下至各领域、各部门都占据的高比重。革命事业的成功与经济建设的伟大成就证明，历代留学生都起到了不可替代的作用。随着改革开放政策的更加宽松，派送留学生工作将会以更大的规模继续下去，成为中华民族继续前进，实现现代化，为人类的进步做出应有贡献的有力保障。

A detailed retrospect is made about the 130 years-long historical stream of Chinese students rushing abroad for study, in order to reveal their efforts and contributions to the establishment and development of science and engineering enterprise in China since late Qing Dynasty. A chronicle of 10 generations of students studied abroad in the period of 1870〜2000 is suggested and justified. An analysis is made with emphasis on the 9th and 10th generations of students selected and sent abroad by government of PRC since 1949.

Historical records and statistical data show that all generations of returned students, scientists and engineers have played an indispensable and decisive role in the course of revolution and reconstruction of the country in the 20th century, many of them devoted their lives to the course. It is argued that the stream of students going abroad will be even intensified in the 21st century due to further opening and harmonizing of the country with the rest of the world.