China Pledges to Build an Education Powerhouse: Xi Jinping’s SpeechIgnites National Drive
Beijing, September 12, 2024 – China has set its sights on becoming an education powerhouse, with President Xi Jinping’s recent speech at the National Education Conference outlining a comprehensivestrategy for achieving this ambitious goal. The speech, delivered on September 11th, has ignited a nationwide drive to strengthen the country’s education system andfoster a new generation of talent.
Xi Jinping emphasized that building an education powerhouse is a long-held dream of the Chinese people and a crucial foundation for achieving the goal of national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. He stressed the importanceof aligning education with the country’s strategic needs, particularly in science, technology, and innovation.
Focus on Cultivating Well-Rounded Individuals
The speech highlighted the importance of nurturing students who are not only intellectually capable but alsopossess strong moral character, physical fitness, aesthetic appreciation, and practical skills. This emphasis on five-in-one development reflects a shift towards a holistic approach to education, aiming to produce individuals who are well-rounded and equipped to contribute to society.
The fundamental question of education is who to cultivate,how to cultivate them, and for whom to cultivate them, said Li Mingxin, principal of Beijing Elementary School. Our school, born alongside the new China, has cultivated generations of builders and successors for socialism. We will continue to innovate our teaching methods, promoting comprehensive development and ensuring a strong future for our nation.
Integrating Education, Science, and Talent Development
Xi Jinping called for the coordinated implementation of the Strategy for Revitalizing the Nation through Science and Education, the Strategy for Strengthening the Nation through Talent, and the Strategy for Innovation-Driven Development. This integrated approach aims to foster a synergistic relationship between education, scientific innovation, and talent development, creating a virtuous cycle for national progress.
Hainan, born and prospered through reform and opening up, will deepen its educational reforms, optimize its higher education layout, and take the lead in cultivating top-notch talent, said Jin Lin, director of the Reform and DevelopmentPlanning Department of the Hainan Provincial Education Department. We will accelerate the development of high-quality, innovative talent to meet the urgent needs of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Strengthening International Influence
The speech also emphasized the importance of enhancing China’s global educational influence. Xi Jinping called for deepeningeducational exchanges and cooperation with other countries, aiming to contribute to the global development of education.
Our university has established cooperative relationships with 502 universities and academic institutions in 65 countries and regions, said Cai Hong, a teacher at the International Student Education College of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Wewill continue to expand international academic exchanges and educational research cooperation, actively participate in global education governance, and contribute more Chinese strength to the development of global education.
Ensuring Equitable Access to Quality Education
Xi Jinping emphasized the need to ensure equitable access to quality education for all citizens. He called for improvements in theaccessibility, affordability, and quality of public education services, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to benefit from quality education.
The speech has given us a deep sense of responsibility, said Fang Yan, principal of Tsinghua University High School. We will continue to provide support to schoolsin remote areas, sharing our resources and expertise to ensure that all children have access to quality education.
A Collective Effort for National Progress
The speech has resonated throughout China, inspiring a renewed commitment to education reform and development. Local governments, educational institutions, and individuals have expressed their determination to contribute to theconstruction of an education powerhouse.
Building an education powerhouse is a shared responsibility of the entire Party and society, said Chang Shuming, secretary of the Jinzhong Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China in Shanxi Province. We will invest heavily in education, fostering a close collaboration between schools, families, andsociety to build a stronger education system and cultivate a brighter future for our nation.
The national drive to build an education powerhouse reflects China’s commitment to human capital development as a cornerstone of its long-term national strategy. The ambitious goals outlined in Xi Jinping’s speech promise to usher in a new era of educationalexcellence in China, shaping the future of the nation and its people.
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