This paper attempts to explore the theoretical and practical issues concerning the further promotion of Chinese language as a true international language in the future. The ultimate aim of international education of Chinese language is to make Chinese a true international language like English, for which localisation of international education of Chinese language would be a key stage in the process. However, guided by the policy to promote Chinese language learning and teaching internationally, much of the current theories and practices of international education of Chinese language are still based upon those in teaching Chinese to the speakers of other languages in China, refl ecting to a certain extent the understanding of what international Chinese is. In order for Chinese to achieve the international status, it is important to understand what defi nes international Chinese and then its short and long term objectives during the process. If Chinese is to become a true international language like English, international education of Chinese language needs to change its focus. More attention should be paid to the concepts, experiences and practices abroad in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and more close collaboration and synergy are needed, as such joint effort will help to localise as well as internationalise both education of Chinese language and the Chinese language itself. In order to achieve these goals, we argue there is a need to consider and clarify three issues about international Chinese: the defi nition and objectives , the approaches and methods,and the contents and time.