Government and Policy

Backgrounder: China's 10-year national education plan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-30 23:00

BEIJING - China published in full the country's national education plan for the next decade Thursday, pledging to shape a learning society and turn China into a country rich in talent by 2020.

The following is a timetable of the formation of the "Outline of China's National Plan for Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020)":

-- In March 2008, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively ordered relevant authorities to work out a medium and long-term education reform and development plan based on in-depth investigation.

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-- On August 29, 2008, the government set up a leading group headed by Wen Jiabao to supervise the outline's formation. Eleven special panels involving nearly 2,000 people including more than 500 experts and scholars were also set up.

-- The government publicized the draft outline to get public feedback twice, respectively in 2009 and 2010.

-- From January 11 to February 6, 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over five seminars to hear suggestions from more than 50 delegates from various circles.

-- From April 15 to May 5, 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a meeting of the National Science and Technology Education Leading Group and an executive meeting of the State Council, or Cabinet, to discuss the draft outline.

-- From May 27 to June 21, 2010, President Hu Jintao presided over meetings of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee to deliberate and approve the outline.

-- In mid-July, a high-profile work conference on education was held in Beijing. At that conference, Hu Jintao urged the CPC and the whole country to give priority to education in their work.