The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council recently issued a new education blueprint, outlining goals for building China into an educational powerhouse.

By 2035, the master plan seeks to establish a robust educational system that significantly enhances the nation's strategic capabilities and realizes overall educational modernization, effectively supporting the country's modernization drive and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

It emphasizes the cultivation and strengthening of national strategic sci-tech capabilities. A key feature of this plan is the implementation of breakthrough programs in fundamental and interdisciplinary disciplines. The initiative aims to position high-level research universities as the mainstay of national basic research and as originators of significant technological breakthroughs, enhancing the organization of basic research and establishing an effective mechanism for the mutual support of scientific innovation and talent training.

Moreover, the plan seeks to create collaborative innovation platforms among schools, enterprises, and local governments, improving major scientific infrastructure and resource banks, thereby cultivating top-tier scientific expertise and innovation teams to achieve breakthroughs in fundamental disciplines and lead interdisciplinary integration.

Youth development in science and technology is another crucial aspect of the plan. By fostering a spirit of scientific inquiry and tolerance for failure, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of high-level educators and academic masters.

In addition, the plan also highlights the need to improve the conversion efficiency of sci-tech achievements in higher education institutions. This will involve creating regional technology transfer centers based on national university technology parks and strengthening collaboration with various technology transfer platforms and innovation parks.

In promoting vocational education, the plan advocates for a modern vocational education system that cultivates skilled artisans and high-level workforce expertises. There is a focus on shaping diverse educational forms and enhancing the integration of industry and education. This calls for the establishment of vocational education joint institutions at city level and encourages enterprises to engage in vocational education, thereby deepening cooperation in training and employment.

The creation of a "learning society" by pursuing a national digital education strategy, which emphasizes integration, intelligence, and internationalization, is another area of interest. This supports the development of education frameworks driven by AI, revising curricula, and enhancing teacher training to adapt to a digital society.

To position China as a significant global educational hub, the plan includes strategies for improving talent cultivation and attraction on a global scale. It encourages the selection of outstanding individuals to study in top international universities and facilitates youth exchanges.

Bolstering international academic exchanges and research collaborations is also on the plan's agenda, advocating for China's active participation in global education governance and support of the establishment and development of international STEM education institutions.