China's 15th FYP to boost global education influence

China's international influence, competitiveness and voice in education will be significantly enhanced during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), according to the education development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Monday.

Under the plan, China will make better use of world-class educational resources and innovation elements. Basic research will see deeper international exchanges, and top research universities will be encouraged to launch or join major global science initiatives.

The country will refine its study-abroad services and continue to champion the tradition of encouraging overseas returnees to come home to serve the nation after graduation.

At the same time, high-level foreign science and engineering universities will be welcomed to run cooperative programs in China, the plan said.

Building globally recognized Chinese education brands is another priority. The plan calls for strengthening ties with European and American partners while expanding cooperation with neighboring countries, countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and Global South nations.

China will share its own standards and practical solutions across vocational training, basic education, engineering, AI education and teacher development.

The international Chinese language brand will be further promoted, while the "Study in China" brand will also be enhanced, alongside capacities for overseas schooling. People-to-people and cultural exchanges will be actively encouraged, the plan said.

On the global governance front, China will leverage multilateral platforms such as UNESCO, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to deepen cooperation and strengthen its leading role in key fields, including girls' and women's education, digital and intelligent education, and STEM subjects, it added.

Domestically, the plan emphasizes a forward-looking allocation of educational resources in response to shifting school-age populations. It sets up a forecasting and early-warning mechanism, boosts supplies in areas with net population inflows and weak foundations, and allows flexible repurposing of idle school buildings across different educational stages.

Teacher deployment will be better coordinated to balance surpluses and shortages, while small-class teaching will be promoted where conditions permit.

Higher education will be expanded and upgraded through multiple channels, with new resources tilted toward populous provincial regions, the central and western regions, and ethnic areas.

The plan specifically supports building several new campuses for "double first-class" universities, which are leading universities with government support to become world-class institutions, with a total increase of more than 100,000 undergraduate places.

Several new research universities will be established, focusing mainly on science, engineering, agriculture and medicine, with orderly expansion of both undergraduate and postgraduate enrollments.

Meanwhile, a national "artificial intelligence + education" initiative will drive deep changes in teaching concepts, assessment methods, research models and governance.

The national smart education platform will be strengthened to reach more learners, and schools will upgrade their digital infrastructure while exploring new teaching models. An AI application pilot base for education will be set up, alongside an open-source ecosystem.