Dr. Faust said political connections don't boost an applicant's chances of getting accepted.

WSJ: Harvard Expands Reach in Asia

Dr. Faust, who will also visit South Korea, said China is the "largest supplier" of international students enrolled at the university's campus, in Cambridge, Mass.

WSJ: Harvard Expands Reach in Asia

Dr. Faust said edX is working to address the issue.

WSJ: Harvard Expands Reach in Asia

Most of those enrolled are from outside the U.S., and 44, 000 are from East Asia, which includes China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, Dr. Faust said in an interview.

WSJ: Harvard Expands Reach in Asia

Dr. Faust called edX a startup "in every sense of the word, " adding that the site is searching for its business model, which could involve licensing course content and charging for certain offerings, such as executive business courses.

WSJ: Harvard Expands Reach in Asia