The Evolvement of Lifelong Education in China: A Policy Perspective

Abstract

China has opened up to the outside world for over four decades and achieved record-high national prosperity and economic growth through national policies and its transformational reforms. These reforms exemplified the evolution of Chinese education, particularly from adult education to lifelong education, which has been viewed as an effective mechanism to strengthen national economic development and global competition. The establishment of China’s lifelong learning system through national policies illustrates an invaluable perspective and practical underpinning to the world. This chapter analytically reviews the Chinese lifelong education evolution in the context of the four administrations followed by the Chinese Cultural Revolution by examining the national policies shaping the evolvement of the lifelong education system through a national policy lens. It also describes and presents the practical impact of some key players, including China Open University and the Community Education systems. Finally, this chapter views similarities and differences of some Asian countries’ lifelong learning policies and practices with China. This chapter concludes with a discussion on issues and implications for the further development of lifelong learning.