China has announced comprehensive plans to reform its public education system in response to evolving demographic trends and the national ambition of becoming an 'education powerhouse.' The 2025 National Education Work Conference, held recently in Beijing, outlined key priorities for China’s education agenda, focusing on revitalizing county-level high schools and reforming entrance examinations.

A central theme of the conference was adapting to demographic shifts, which have prompted a reassessment of resource distribution across educational institutions.

In Jiangxi province, the education department successfully restructured several small-scale schools last year to enhance resource allocation, demonstrating potential pathways to replicate this success nationwide.

Wu Yongming, the education department head, emphasized the ongoing exploration of solutions to demographic challenges.

In Shandong province, Qingdao's education bureau has announced an upcoming pilot program aimed at rotating teachers between primary and middle schools.

Jiang Yuanshao, head of the bureau, explained that this initiative seeks to mitigate resource imbalances and prepare for increasing enrollments in middle schools.

The conference also highlighted the crucial role of the education sector as a strategic cornerstone in bolstering China’s innovation capabilities.

In the upcoming year, the government plans to align academic programs closely with technological advancements and national priorities, thereby further integrating technology within industrial sectors.

Vocational education is poised to play a significant role, producing a skilled workforce tailored to support new productive forces.

Anhui province showcased a novel pilot program where enterprises collaborate with research institutes to train engineering graduates, fostering a fusion of academia and industry.

Qian Guilun, head of the provincial education department, noted the value of enterprise-driven training initiatives in addressing practical engineering challenges.

Strengthening the educational workforce remains a high priority, with efforts focused on bolstering professional ethics and improving teacher training and recruitment.

Furthermore, China aims to expand its influence in global education governance through international cooperation and enhanced digitization within its education sector.

To this end, Li Ping, head of the Ministry of Education's educational technology center, cited the success of the Smart Education of China platform, which now serves 147 million users by offering access to a substantial digital knowledge repository.

Plans are underway to further update this platform into the world's largest digital education database.

Finally, the conference underscored the importance of campus safety and governance, announcing measures to ensure stability and security across the educational landscape.