VANCOUVER, May 10 (Xinhua) -- A significant number of Chinese university students in Canada intend to one day start their own businesses, says a survey released Monday.

The survey indicated that one in five Chinese students in Canada pursues a business dream and nearly 50 percent expressed interest in becoming entrepreneurs if opportunities become available.

However, a lack of capital funds, knowledge about starting a new business and market information are the top three barriers preventing the students from starting their own enterprises, the survey said.

"Given the fact that Chinese students are the largest group among all international students studying in Canada, this is a group which will have significant impact on the people-to-people relations between Canada and China," said Kenny Zhang, senior project manager of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, an independent think tank focused on Canada's relations with Asia.

"With their diversified business interests after graduation in Canada, we can expect greater business opportunities between the two countries in the years ahead," Zhang said.

The survey on the intentions among Chinese students after graduation in Canada was commissioned by Canadian social service provider S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation.

The survey was designed to understand the interests of the Chinese students, who represent 15 percent of Canada's annual intake of international students and form the largest ethnic group studying in the country.