A Profound Theoretical Tool and Scientific Guide for Building a Strong Education System: Insights from Xi Jinping’s On Education

Education is the foundation of national strength and the cornerstone of national rejuvenation. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Party Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, has firmly established education as a strategic priority both for the country and for the Party. It has fully implemented the Party’s educational policies and enacted significant decisions to advance the strategy of invigorating the nation through science and education and accelerate the modernization of education, and set the ambitious goal of building a strong education system by 2035. These efforts have driven historic achievements and transformative changes in education, marking a solid step forward in the strengthening of education in the New Era.

In this context, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of incisive and critical discourses on education, offering scientific answers to fundamental questions such as: What kind of people should we cultivate? How should we cultivate them? For whom should we cultivate them? Furthermore, he has comprehensively analyzed key issues, including why building a strong education system is essential on the new journey in the New Era, what such a system entails, and how it should be constructed. These insights provide a clear roadmap and foundational principles for advancing education.

On the occasion of the convening of the National Education Conference, Xi Jinping’s On Education was officially published. This thematic compilation includes 47 of his seminal writings on education. A careful and thorough study of these important discourses is vital for understanding the political, people-centered, and strategic nature of education. It is also crucial for accelerating the strengthening of education, thereby providing robust support for advancing the building of a great country and fulfilling the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

I. Upholding the Party’s Comprehensive Leadership over Education

The Party exercises overall leadership over all areas of endeavor in every part of the country. General Secretary Jinping noted that strengthening the Party’s leadership is the fundamental guarantee for advancing educational development. This principle must remain unwavering at all times. It is imperative to uphold the Party’s leadership in education, ensure the guiding position of Marxism, and make the education sector a firm bastion of the Party’s leadership.

Xi Jinping’s profound analysis of this critical issue serves as a unifying thread running throughout his collected works on education.

Ensuring that the Party maintains firm control over educational development

Upholding and enhancing the Party’s overall leadership over education is directly linked to the nature, success, and future sustainability of the sector. The CPC has always attached great importance to education. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, China's education system has accomplished in a few decades what took several centuries in many Western developed countries. It has undergone a remarkable transformation—from old to new, from small to large—evolving from a nation with widespread illiteracy to an educational powerhouse, and from a country with a large population to one rich in human resources. Today, China boasts the world’s largest education system, and the overall level of educational modernization has reached the upper-middle tier globally. This remarkable progress is a testament to the indispensable role of the Party’s strong leadership.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has approached education with a strategic vision shaped by the broader development of the Party and the nation. He has introduced a series of new ideas, perspectives, and policies surrounding education, particularly focusing on fundamental questions such as: What kind of people should we cultivate, how, and for whom?

Xi Jinping has emphasized several core principles that must be upheld in advancing educational development:

l   Overall leadership by the Party

l   Moral education as the core mission

l   Prioritizing education development

l   Adhering to socialist educational principles

l   Grounding education in China’s unique circumstances and realities

l   People-centered growth.

l   Deepening reform and innovation

l   National rejuvenation as the mission

l   Strengthening the teaching workforce as a foundation for progress

These reflect a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of China's educational development. They are hard-won and must be consistently upheld while being continuously enriched and expanded.

The Party’s educational policies embody its theories, principles, and strategic direction in the education sector. They serve as the foundation for the development of education. In the New Era, implementing these policies requires:

l  Upholding Marxism as the guiding thought

l  Implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

l  Adhering to socialist educational principles

l  Fulfilling the fundamental mission of moral education

l  Ensuring that education serves the people, strengthens the governance of the Party, consolidates and develops socialism with Chinese characteristics, and supports reform and opening up and socialist modernization

l  Developing an education system that is rooted in Chinese soil while integrating with production, labor, and social practice

l  Accelerating educational modernization and building a strong education system that satisfies the people

l  Nurturing talent capable of shouldering the responsibility of national rejuvenation

l  Ensuring the well-rounded development of students in terms of morality, intellectual ability, physical fitness, aesthetic sensibility and work skills to carry on the cause of socialism

Bearing in mind the country’s most fundamental interests and always giving strategic priority to developing education

Throughout human history, the rise of a nation has been inseparable from the advancement of education. A flourishing education system drives national prosperity, and a strong education system underpins national strength. Without exception, every global power has also been an educational powerhouse. Education is, and always has been, a critical cornerstone for the emergence of great nations. For the Chinese people, building a strong education system has been a long-cherished aspiration since modern times.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, has embraced a far-sighted historical perspective, a broad international vision, and a profound strategic outlook. It has firmly established education as a top strategic priority in advancing the Party’s and the nation’s development. Through comprehensive planning and strategic design, the Party has accelerated efforts to modernize education and build a robust education system, setting a clear objective of achieving this by 2035.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that the education system we aim to build must align with the principles of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Its foundation is the Party’s overall leadership over education. The core mission is to foster virtue and character, with the ultimate aim of cultivating talent for the Party and the nation. Its overarching purpose is to serve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This vision requires the modernization of educational concepts, systems, structures, content, methodologies, and governance. At its heart, a strong education system must support and guide the unique process of Chinese modernization, with the ultimate goal of delivering education that meets the people’s expectations and needs.

In his keynote address at the National Education Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping provided a systematic explanation of the scientific essence and fundamental pathways for building a strong education system. He offered an in-depth analysis of the major relationships that must be properly managed and outlined strategic tasks and key initiatives to advance this goal. He emphasized that building a strong education system is a foundational and strategic pillar for achieving national development and realizing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

The education system we aspire to build must demonstrate strong political leadership, global competitiveness in talent cultivation, robust support for scientific and technological innovation, a solid foundation for improving people’s well-being, effective integration with societal needs, and substantial international influence. It must provide vital support for advancing national development and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

Building a strong education system is a complex and systematic endeavor. It requires adhering to a holistic and strategic approach, balancing key relationships such as supporting national strategies while addressing public needs, integrating knowledge acquisition with holistic personal development, cultivating talent while meeting societal demands, maintaining order while fostering innovation, and rooting efforts in China’s unique context while drawing on international experience.

The entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the nation must remain steadfast in their confidence and commitment, working tirelessly and with perseverance toward the goal of building a world-class education system.

Improving institutions and mechanisms for the Party's overall leadership over education

To uphold and reinforce the Party's overall leadership over education, continuous improvement of the leadership system is essential. This system emphasizes unified leadership by Party committees, shared responsibilities between the Party and government, and clearly defined roles for relevant departments. The CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, has established establishment of the Central Leading Group for Educational Work to bolster and refine efforts in the education sector. This group serves as the central mechanism for advancing the development of a robust education system, ensuring top-level design, coordinated planning, integrated implementation, and effective oversight.

At every level, Party committees must view the overall leadership over education as a critical responsibility, incorporating education reform and development into their agendas. This includes prioritizing both political and theoretical leadership. Political leadership guarantees that education aligns with the correct political direction, ensuring the full implementation of the Party's leadership. Theoretical leadership involves maintaining authority over theoretical and political work, consolidating Marxism as the ideological guiding thought in schools, cultivating talent with scientific theories, guiding individuals with correct ideas, and ensuring that schools remain strongholds for nurturing builders and successors of the socialist cause.

Party committees and governments at all levels must strengthen their efforts in organizational leadership, development planning, resource allocation, and funding for education. Leading Party and government officials must develop a deep understanding of education, demonstrate genuine concern for it, and actively engage in its study. Secretaries of local Party committees and of relevant leading Party members’ groups should frequently visit universities, interact with faculty and students, deliver lectures, strengthen relationships with intellectuals in higher education, and address pressing issues on the ground.

Given the professional and systematic nature of education, leaders and officials responsible for managing education must respect its principles, dedicate themselves to its study, and strive to become experts in educational governance.

As General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized, the effectiveness of the Party's leadership within the education system depends on the soundness of the Party's organizational framework and the quality of its Party-building efforts. Local Party committees and Party organizations within education departments must fulfill their leadership responsibilities by setting direction, managing the big picture, making critical decisions, building strong leading bodies, leading teams, and ensuring effective implementation. They must guarantee the thorough and faithful execution of the Party's line, principles, and policies and the decisions of higher-level Party organizations. To this end, it is vital to establish sound organizational systems, institutional frameworks, and operational mechanisms that uphold and strengthen Party leadership. A work structure must be created to ensure that the Party's leadership extends vertically to the grassroots and horizontally across all areas, achieving comprehensive coverage.

In higher education institutions, the system of Party committee leadership under which the president assumes responsibility must be adhered to. A collaborative working mechanism should be established, characterized by unified leadership by the Party committee, division of labor between Party and administrative bodies, and coordinated operations. University Party secretaries and presidents must serve as both socialist statemen and educators, ensuring that the leadership of universities remains firmly in the hands of individuals loyal to Marxism, the Party, and the people.

In primary and secondary schools, it is necessary to establish a system of principal responsibility under the leadership of Party organizations. Political standards and requirements must be incorporated into all aspects of school governance and education. Efforts should also be accelerated to achieve full coverage of Party organizations and activities in private schools, ensuring the effective implementation of the Party's educational policies within these institutions.

Party organizations in schools of all types and levels must regard Party-building work as a central element of school governance and a fundamental skill for managing schools. Grassroots Party organizations should play a pivotal role as the most reliable and trusted support for faculty and students. They must also act as strongholds in the educational mission of teaching and nurturing talent.

II. Focusing on the Core Mission of Moral Education: Ensuring the Well-Rounded Development of Students in Terms of Morality, Intellectual Ability, Physical Fitness, Aesthetic Sensibility and Work Skills to Carry on the Cause of Socialism

From both historical and contemporary perspectives, education has always been the cornerstone for maintaining political stability and social order in any nation or society. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of three fundamental questions central to education: What kind of people should we cultivate? How should we cultivate them? And for whom do we cultivate them? These are not only critical questions for education but also the foundation for building a strong education system. This collection of essays reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound insights into these essential questions.

Upholding moral education as the core mission

As the saying goes, “To nourish a flower, nurture its roots; to cultivate a person, nurture their heart.” The essence of education lies in fostering virtue. Moral education is not only the bedrock of a nation’s future but also a fundamental guarantee for the continuity of the Party’s cause.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has warned that if a school deviates from the correct educational direction, it will be like a crooked tree that can never grow tall and strong. As a socialist country under the leadership of the CPC, the mission of our education system is clear: to cultivate socialist builders and successors. This means nurturing generations who firmly support the Party’s leadership and the socialist system, and who are dedicated to advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics. This mission is both the logical starting point and unchanging political direction of our educational work.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the defining characteristic of "builders and successors of socialism" is rooted in "socialism." This represents the core requirement for determining the kind of individuals we seek to nurture. Those we cultivate must uphold the lofty ideal of communism and the shared ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Without this essential criterion, the foundation for cultivating builders and successors of socialism cannot be firmly established. It is imperative that our education system never produces individuals who undermine socialism or act as its destroyers. Nor should it produce people who "wear the face of China but lack a Chinese heart, Chinese sentiment, or Chinese character." Such outcomes would constitute a fundamental failure of education. History must never witness such a grave mistake. This issue is one of principle, and it must be firmly grasped as we modernize education and build a strong socialist education system. It is not open to ambiguity, negotiation, or compromise. At all times, we must remain true to our original mission: to cultivate talent for both the Party and the nation. We must ensure that moral education becomes the fundamental criterion for evaluating all aspects of educational performance in schools. Moral education must be seamlessly integrated into every stage of education—whether moral and ethical education, cultural and knowledge-based education, or social practice education—and across all levels of education, including basic, vocational, and higher education. By prioritizing moral development and placing talent cultivation at the core, we aim to produce individuals who meet the needs of social development, knowledge advancement, cultural inheritance, national continuity, and institutional functionality.

Strengthening political education: shaping minds with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

Political education is the key to fulfilling the mission of moral education. General Secretary Xi Jinping has placed great emphasis on this area, regarding it as an essential tool for fostering successive generations of socialist builders and successors. The systematic integration of political courses into primary, secondary, and tertiary education is a critical mechanism for achieving this goal.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of delivering effective political education by promoting Marxist theory and instilling the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. To this end, the "Moral Education for the New Era Project" must be implemented.

Efforts must focus on strengthening and improving political education in schools, with particular emphasis on fostering core socialist values. Students must be guided to develop:

l  Firm faith in Marxism,

l  Unwavering belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and

l  Confidence in the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

They must aspire to serve the country and strengthen it, becoming courageous and determined individuals who listen to and follow the Party.

The development of political education must align with the Party’s innovative theoretical developments. A comprehensive curriculum and textbook system centered on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era must be established. This involves integrating political education across all levels of schooling—primary, secondary, and tertiary—and incorporating the Party’s innovative theories into the curriculum and make it a way of thinking. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that teaching political courses requires not only technical skill (the “art”) but also scholarly depth (the “knowledge”) and, most importantly, a firm grasp of essential guiding principles (the “way”).

The political, theoretical, academic, and professional dimensions of political education are deeply interconnected. The academic depth, intellectual breadth, and scholarly value of this field are in no way inferior to other disciplines within the humanities or social sciences. To advance reforms and innovations in political education, we must strengthen its foundations through meticulous improvement and enhance its impact through continuous innovation. This requires increasing its intellectual depth, theoretical sophistication, appeal, and practical relevance.

Furthermore, it is essential to uphold the unity of political and academic principles, values and knowledge, constructive and critical perspectives, theory and practice, uniformity and diversity, authority and autonomy, indoctrination and inspiration, as well as explicit and implicit education. Only through an integrative, holistic approach can political education achieve its intended effectiveness. Regardless of the strategies employed, the ultimate goal remains the same: to make these courses more engaging, impactful, targeted, and effective. The objective is to unify knowledge, emotion, will, and action, enabling students to connect with these lessons both intellectually and emotionally.

Special attention must be given to leveraging the transformative achievements of the New Era, drawing upon the rich resources of red culture to educate students, and integrating modern online educational platforms and resources. These efforts must be presented in formats and language that resonate with students, ensuring accessibility and appeal. Expanding the platforms for practical and digital education is crucial, with a focus on fostering a shared sense of national identity among students. To achieve this, political courses should prioritize cultivating awareness of this shared identity, promoting the use of the national standard language, and ensuring the wide adoption of unified national teaching materials. By fostering linguistic and cultural connection, education can cultivate deeper emotional and spiritual bonds, instilling a strong sense of shared identity in children from an early age.

Builders and successors of socialism must be developed comprehensively to meet the challenges of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation. This is the historic mission of education. Comprehensive development is not only crucial for the healthy growth of students but also imperative for nurturing individuals capable of fulfilling the great responsibilities of national rejuvenation. Recognizing this, the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, has incorporated labor education into the framework for cultivating socialist builders and successors, embodying the principles of "moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education."

While academic learning remains the primary duty of students, efforts must also focus on broadening their knowledge, expanding their insights, and fostering a mindset of curiosity, diligent study, bold innovation, and practical application. However, significant challenges persist. The physical health of young people remains a pressing concern, with increasing numbers of "overweight children" and "bespectacled students." To address these issues, a "health-first" educational philosophy must be embraced, ensuring the full implementation of physical education curricula. Students should be guided to find joy in physical exercise, improve their fitness, develop well-rounded personalities, and strengthen their willpower.

Equally vital is aesthetic education, as beauty provides a source of moral clarity and spiritual enrichment. Schools must comprehensively strengthen and innovate aesthetic education by equipping themselves with highly qualified art educators and adhering to the principle of "educating through beauty and culture." By doing so, students' aesthetic sensibilities and cultural literacy can be enhanced. Labor education, too, plays a critical, multifaceted role: it builds character, enhances intellect, improves physical health, and fosters an appreciation for beauty. Students should be encouraged to embrace the spirit of labor, respect its value, and participate in diverse forms of labor practice. Through these experiences, they will cultivate habits of hard work, learn the importance of thrift, and acquire essential life skills.

Society itself serves as an expansive classroom. Social practice, community service, and extracurricular activities in schools form a vital "second classroom." In these settings, students should be encouraged to learn from the people, from practical experiences, and from real-world challenges. By doing so, they will develop genuine affection for the people, a sense of social responsibility, and unwavering loyalty to the nation.

III. Centering Education on the People: Delivering an Education That Satisfies People's Expectations

Providing education for the people and delivering an education that meets their expectations is a fundamental expression of the Party's original aspiration and founding mission. Building a strong education system ultimately hinges on delivering an education that satisfies the people. This collection of essays reflects in depth the important discussions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on this subject.

Promoting educational equity and advancing inclusive, accessible, and convenient public education services

Promoting educational equity is a cornerstone of social equity and an intrinsic requirement for building a strong education system. Currently, China’s enrollment rates in preschool and compulsory education have reached the average levels of high-income countries, while higher education has entered a globally recognized stage of massification. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to adhere to a people-centered approach, continuously enhancing the inclusiveness, accessibility, and convenience of public education services. The outcomes of education reform and development should benefit all people more equitably, using educational equity to foster social justice.

It is essential to uphold the principle of education as a public good, making educational equity a fundamental national policy. Efforts must focus on establishing a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system. We must accelerate the creation of an education system that accompanies every individual throughout their life, making learning a habit and lifestyle accessible to all. This means ensuring that everyone can learn anytime, anywhere, and at any stage of life.

Efforts should also be directed toward building an education system that serves all individuals equally. Regardless of gender, urban or rural residence, region, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity, everyone should have access to quality education. Simultaneously, an education system tailored to individual needs must be developed—one that accommodates diverse personalities, interests, talents, and potential, providing students with education that aligns with their growth and aspirations.

Furthermore, the education system must become more open and flexible, offering diverse choices and broader pathways for personal and professional development. This includes creating smoother channels for academic advancement, career progression, and upward social mobility. To provide education that meets the people’s expectations, we must address pressing issues at every stage, from preschool to university.

Promoting educational equity must be integrated into every aspect and phase of comprehensive education reform. Efforts should aim to narrow disparities in education across urban and rural areas, regions, schools, and demographic groups, ensuring that every child has access to equitable and high-quality education. This will better meet the public’s demand for "good schools." Additionally, we must advance lifelong education and universal learning, accelerate the construction of a learning society, and significantly improve the overall quality of the population. By doing so, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to receive an education that empowers them to develop their potential, contribute to society, and improve people’s well-being.

Driving high-quality and equitable development of compulsory education

Compulsory education is the foundation of educational work and a crucial project for enhancing national quality. While issues of “availability” and “adequacy” in compulsory education have largely been resolved, the focus must now shift to addressing the questions of “quality” and “excellence.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed the need to accelerate the high-quality, balanced development of compulsory education and its integration across urban and rural areas. This requires optimizing the allocation of regional educational resources, improving financial assistance systems covering students at all stages, and establishing mechanisms for compulsory education development that are urban-led, coordinated, and balanced between urban and rural areas.

Efforts must be made to rationalize the allocation of educational resources between urban and rural areas, standardize policies such as the "two exemptions and one subsidy" for students in compulsory education, and ensure comprehensive public education services for all permanent urban residents. We must improve the infrastructure of underperforming schools, expand the coverage of high-quality educational resources, and enhance the quality of education in rural areas.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, has firmly prioritized education as a fundamental strategy for poverty eradication and has implemented a series of significant initiatives. General Secretary Xi has emphasized that education in impoverished areas has long-term significance and requires significant effort. As he has stated, "No child should suffer due to poverty, and no education should be neglected due to financial hardship." We must ensure that children from impoverished families have access to equitable and high-quality education, striving to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and provide every child with the opportunity to thrive.

With the victory in the battle against poverty, China has ensured that all impoverished populations meet the "two assurances and three guarantees": no worries about food or clothing and guaranteed access to compulsory education, basic medical care, and safe housing. Millions of children from poor families have gained fairer educational opportunities, leaving behind the days of arduous journeys to school. They now enjoy dormitory accommodations and meals at school.

Consolidating the achievements of the “double reduction” policy

The fundamental mission of education is to cultivate virtue and nurture talent. Every aspect of a student’s development—ideals and convictions, moral character, intellectual growth, physical health, and psychological well-being—is indispensable. However, for a period of time, the most pressing issue in education has been the excessive burden placed on primary and secondary school students. Many educational practices have been short-sighted and overly utilitarian. What is even more alarming is that while this problem is widely recognized, society continues to follow this misguided trajectory, further compounding the issue.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that this problem fundamentally arises from the failure to fully integrate the principle of cultivating virtue into the education system and its mechanisms. In primary and secondary schools, the ultimate goal of education has been reduced to exam scores and admission rates. Additionally, certain private tutoring institutions have violated educational principles and disregarded the laws of student development by offering exam-oriented training. This has not only increased the academic burden on students and the financial strain on families but has also disrupted the normal order of school education, drawing widespread criticism from society.

General Secretary Xi has emphasized that education, whether in schools or at home, should not place excessive emphasis on grades. Grades are a temporary achievement, but education must focus on the lifelong development of students. If education fails to cultivate a healthy and mature character, it is fundamentally flawed. Schools must reaffirm their role as the primary platform for education by enhancing the quality of classroom instruction and improving after-school services. Only then can we genuinely reduce excessive academic workloads and alleviate the burden of extracurricular tutoring.

Equally important is the need to strengthen regulation of both online and offline private tutoring institutions, ensuring that extracurricular education aligns with its proper role of fostering holistic development. The implementation of the “double reduction” policy is a long-term process requiring sustained and persistent efforts. Parents, schools, and society must deepen their understanding of the policy, promote its implementation, and continually consolidate its achievements to encourage the well-rounded development of students.

Advancing educational digitalization and building a lifelong learning society in a learning-driven nation

Educational digitalization represents a key breakthrough for China in establishing a new trajectory for education development and shaping new competitive advantages in the field. In today’s rapidly changing world, technological advancements such as the internet, cloud computing, big data, and other modern information technologies are profoundly transforming human thinking, production, lifestyles, and learning methods. Adapting to the evolution of information technology, driving educational reform and innovation, and constructing a networked, digitalized, personalized, and lifelong education system are among the major challenges we face.

At the National Education Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping underscored the importance of implementing a national strategy for educational digitalization. This includes expanding access to high-quality educational resources and improving the public service system for lifelong learning. By leveraging information technology, we can update educational concepts, transform educational models, and gradually reduce the digital divide between regions and between urban and rural areas. These efforts should vigorously promote educational equity, enabling millions of children to access high-quality education under the same blue sky and change their destinies through knowledge.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with education will further drive reform and innovation. By fully utilizing the advantages of AI, we can create an intelligent and universally accessible learning environment. This will provide robust support for personalized and lifelong learning, expand access to quality educational resources, and accelerate the modernization of education. Advancing digital education is essential for building a lifelong learning society and creating a learning-driven nation.

IV. Integrating Education Development, Scientific Innovation, and Talent Cultivation and Creating a Strong Education System to Support and Lead Chinese Modernization

In today’s world, the essence of global competition lies in talent and education. The foundational, pioneering, and overarching role of education has become increasingly prominent. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the realization of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation ultimately depends on talent and education.

The political report of the 20th CPC National Congress outlined a strategy dedicated to education, science, and talent development, marking a new phase in accelerating the construction of a robust education system. This collection of General Secretary Xi Jinping's essays reflect his profound insights and strategic vision in these areas.

Education, science and technology, and talent serve as the foundational and strategic pillars of Chinese modernization. In today’s era, talent is the foremost resource, science and technology are a primary productive forces, and innovation is the ultimate driving force. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the intrinsic coherence and mutual reinforcement of building a strong education system, China’s strength in science and technology, and a talent-strong country. To achieve this vision, it is essential to coordinate and implement the strategies of revitalizing the nation through science and education, strengthening the country through talent, and driving development through innovation. These efforts must advance education, scientific innovation, and talent cultivation in an integrated manner.

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee outlined a comprehensive plan to establish systems and mechanisms that support all-encompassing innovation. This includes advancing the overall reform of education, science, and talent systems. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed the need to deepen the integration of these systems, improve mechanisms for fostering talent through collaboration between education and science, and accelerate the cultivation of a large, well-structured, and high-quality pool of innovative talent.

Guided by scientific progress and the nation’s strategic needs, efforts must focus on enhancing innovation capabilities, optimizing the layout of higher education, refining mechanisms for adjusting academic disciplines, and improving talent cultivation models. Special attention should be given to foundational, emerging, and interdisciplinary disciplines, as well as nurturing exceptional talent.

World-class universities are vital to fundamental research and major scientific breakthroughs. Strengthening mechanisms for scientific and technological innovation in universities is imperative. This includes fostering deeper integration between industry, academia, and research, while promoting collaboration between universities, enterprises, and research institutions. These measures aim to ensure that scientific advancements are swiftly translated into productive forces.

Additionally, a modernized  system of concentrating national resources to accomplish major undertakings must be established to enhance strategic scientific and technological power. This involves optimizing the allocation of innovation resources, refining the roles and layouts of national research institutions, high-level research universities, and leading technology enterprises, building a system of national laboratories, and improving the overall performance of the national innovation system.

Accelerating the construction of a high-quality education system and energizing educational development through deepened reform and innovation

China’s education system has transitioned from rapid expansion to high-quality development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that high-quality development must serve as the lifeline for education at all levels and of all types. Accelerating the construction of a high-quality education system is essential to this endeavor.

Basic education is the basis for building a strong education system. It serves as the foundation and forerunner of the national education system. It must be carefully positioned and continuously improved to ensure its quality.

Higher education is the vanguard of building a strong education system. Its development must follow a path of intensive growth, with a focus on establishing universities and disciplines that are uniquely Chinese yet world-class. This is critical to raising the overall level of higher education in China.

Vocational education is an integral component of the national education system and human resource development. We should emphasize the integration of general education and vocational training, fostering a robust system that blends education with industry. This system must prioritize cultivating master craftspeople, highly skilled technicians, and experts across various fields.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that reform is the fundamental driving force for advancing education. The transformation from being a major educational nation to becoming an educational powerhouse represents a systemic leap and qualitative change. Reform and innovation must serve as the primary drivers of this transition.

A systematic approach is critical to advancing reforms in teaching methodologies, school management models, governance structures, and support mechanisms. Institutional barriers that hinder the high-quality development of education must be removed. Comprehensive modernization of the governance system and the capacity for education is essential.

The ultimate goal of deepened education reform is to improve quality, with efforts concentrated on three core areas:

1.         Teaching excellence: Reforms should prioritize teachers, curricula, and pedagogy. Innovative and effective teaching methods must be explored to ensure quality education.

2.         Student success: Reforms must aim to foster moral integrity, intellectual growth, physical fitness, and career readiness, creating conditions for every individual’s development and success.

3.         Governance optimization: Education must be governed, managed, and delivered in accordance with the law. Strengthening the educational governance system is essential to ensuring compliance with legal and institutional standards.

Educational evaluation plays a critical role in shaping the direction of education and achieving the goal of building a strong education system. To this end, a modern evaluation system must be established. This system should involve diverse stakeholders, align with China’s national realities, and meet world-class standards. Persistent issues such as overemphasis on test scores, graduation rates, degrees, publications, and academic titles must be decisively addressed. Educational evaluation must be fundamentally redefined as a guiding force that prioritizes quality and holistic development.

Reforms to exam and admissions systems should ensure a harmonious balance between student development, national talent selection, and social equity. Textbooks are essential tools for talent cultivation. The state’s central role in textbook development should be reinforced to ensure alignment with correct political directions and value orientations. High-quality textbooks that nurture moral character, inspire wisdom, and enhance intellectual growth must be carefully designed and developed.

Advocating the spirit of educators: nurturing a high-caliber teaching force for the New Era

Teachers are the cornerstone of education and the foundation of its development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the path to strengthening education begins with strengthening the teaching profession. Building a robust teaching workforce is a fundamental task in creating a strong education system. Encountering a great teacher is a blessing in life; having great teachers is the pride of a school; and for a nation to continuously produce generations of outstanding teachers is its hope for the future.

Over the years, the teaching profession has nurtured both eminent educators and exceptional teachers. These individuals embody an unwavering commitment to the greater good and a heartfelt desire to serve the nation. They are paragons of virtue, exemplifying high moral character and ethical behavior. Through their wisdom to enlighten minds, ability to teach according to individual needs, relentless pursuit of learning, and spirit of innovation, they approach their work with diligence and passion. Their selfless love for students, sense of compassion, and global vision enriched by cultural pursuits underscore the uniquely Chinese spirit of educators.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has called for the vigorous promotion of this spirit through initiatives that enhance teachers' moral and professional character. He has stressed the importance of improving teacher education and training, aiming to cultivate a high-caliber teaching force for the New Era. To be a great teacher requires dedication to the dual mission of teaching and nurturing. It demands selflessness, a love for education, and a steadfast commitment to ideals and convictions, moral integrity, solid expertise, and compassion.

The primary benchmark for evaluating the teaching workforce must be teachers' moral character and professional conduct. Teachers should be guided to uphold virtue in their personal lives, academic pursuits, and teaching practices. They should integrate teaching with character-building, harmonize words with deeds, balance academic inquiry with societal engagement, and align academic freedom with academic standards. Teachers must aspire to be "master educators" who shape the character, values, and aspirations of their students.

Fostering a culture of respect for teachers and education is essential. Society must work to enhance the political, social, and professional standing of teachers, improve their compensation and benefits, and safeguard their dignity and rights. Teachers should be held in high esteem and recognized as one of the most respected professions. This will encourage talented individuals to pursue teaching careers, empower teachers to realize their full potential, and ensure the steady emergence of exemplary educators.

Further advancing the opening up of education, continuously strengthening China’s global influence, competitiveness, and voice in the field of education

To achieve great outcomes, one must not overlook small contributions. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that advancing educational modernization requires unwavering commitment to opening up. Strengthening mutual understanding, learning, and connectivity with other nations is vital. In response to evolving international dynamics, China must refine its strategies for educational opening up, effectively balancing the dual priorities of “bringing in” and “going global.” By leveraging world-class educational resources and innovative practices, China aspires to become a globally influential hub of education.

Efforts should focus on optimizing the global layout of educational opening up, expanding international academic exchange and cooperation in education and research, and enhancing the level and quality of these initiatives. It is crucial to collaborate with leading global institutions and resources to address cutting-edge scientific fields and bridge domestic gaps in key disciplines. This includes introducing high-quality, tailored educational programs while ensuring a proper balance between openness and security, safeguarding both the direction and safety of international educational engagements.

China should actively participate in global education governance and support the development of education in developing countries, contributing to the advancement of global education. Education serves as a bridge for fostering exchanges and collaboration between nations. Through Sino-foreign educational exchanges, mutual understanding can be deepened, lasting friendships cultivated, and a human community with a shared future promoted. Together, these efforts pave the way for a brighter global future.

Education is the cornerstone of national rejuvenation and social progress. It is a noble endeavor that benefits both current and future generations. General Secretary Xi Jinping's insights on education are profound, visionary, and rich in meaning. They are deeply political, theoretical, and instructive, forming a key component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

We must integrate the study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s On Education and his key speech at the National Education Conference. This involves recognizing the decisive significance of the Two Affirmations and strengthening the Four Consciousnesses, the Four-Sphere Confidence, and the Two Upholds. By steadfastly adhering to the path of socialist education with Chinese characteristics, we can lay a solid foundation for the well-being of the people, reinforce the strength of the nation, and write a new chapter in the journey of building a strong education system.