(Xinhua/Li Tao)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to make solid progress toward the strategic goal of making China a leading country in education.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a national education meeting held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday marks the 40th Teachers’ Day in China. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended greetings to teachers and others working in the education sector across the country.
Xi said it was decided to accelerate the modernization of education after the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 and a goal was set to make China a leading country in education by 2035.
This goal will support China’s efforts to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, he added.
Xi said building a leading country in education is a complex and systematic undertaking that requires focusing on the fundamental task of education, which is to cultivate moral sense.
Xi stressed the need to enhance innovation capacity in the development of the education sector, and promote the development of basic and emerging disciplines and interdisciplinary subjects, as well as the training of top-tier talents.
He also called for strengthening collaboration between universities and businesses in scientific research.
Xi stressed the importance of improving the inclusiveness, accessibility and convenience of education as a public service.
He stressed the need to develop high-quality and balanced compulsory education, while reducing gaps between urban and rural areas, regions, schools and social groups.
Xi called for continued efforts to promote the national education digitalization initiative to expand access to quality educational resources.
He demanded the training of a high-quality teaching force, emphasizing the need to raise the status, remuneration and welfare of teachers in order to make teaching one of the most respected professions.
Xi also stressed the importance of further opening up China’s education sector to the world, including by expanding international academic exchanges and expanding cooperation in education and scientific research.
The meeting was presided over by Li Qiang. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Li Xi attended. Ding Xuexiang delivered a closing speech.
Before the meeting, Xi and other leaders met with representatives attending an awards ceremony honoring model teachers as well as outstanding groups and institutions in the education sector.
