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National Education Conference Advances Strong Educational Nation

General Secretary Xi Jinping has called for the implementation of integrated strategies in education, innovation, and talent development to enhance the service orientation of the education system. This directive was announced during the National Education Conference held in September 2024, which emphasized the establishment of a strong educational nation as a priority. The conference served as a comprehensive mobilizing order aimed at eliciting a cohesive response from both the Party and society.

The importance of education has been reiterated by the Party, with the issuance of the "Outline Plan for Building a Strong Education Country (2024-2035)" in October 2024. The educational framework aims to deeply understand and implement the core messages of General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech from the National Education Conference, promoting integrated reforms across educational sciences, technology, and talent cultivation.

Central to the discussions was the necessity to grasp the profound implications of Xi Jinping's speech, which systematically addressed vital questions on the rationale, nature, and methods of fostering educational excellence. It represents a key guiding document that outlines the strategic vision for enhancing the nation’s educational landscape and underscores the imperative for education to align with national development objectives.

The National Education Conference highlighted the ‘three major attributes’ of education, encompassing its political, civic, and strategic dimensions. These attributes serve as foundational elements that inform the objectives of education in fostering loyalty, ensuring fair access, and driving high-quality development, ultimately supporting the construction of a strong educational nation.

During the conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping also enumerated the ‘six characteristics’ necessary for an educational powerhouse. These include effective ideological leadership, competitive talent development, robust scientific support, social collaboration, essential public services, and a significant international presence. Each characteristic plays a strategic role in enhancing the educational framework to meet the demands of modern society.

In addition to these characteristics, the conference discussed the ‘eight major systems’ that need to be established to support educational power. These systems encompass ideological education, high-quality basic education, higher education, vocational training, lifelong learning, scientific support, skilled teaching personnel, and international cooperation. Together, they form a cohesive strategy aimed at developing an advanced educational infrastructure.

A crucial aspect of Xi Jinping's address was the emphasis on understanding the ‘five major relationships’ vital for constructing a robust educational foundation. These relationships span the convergence of educational initiatives with national priorities, the balance of knowledge and overall development, and the dual focus on standardized education while nurturing innovation. Properly managing these relationships enhances the effectiveness of talent cultivation in service of societal needs.

Furthermore, there are ‘five major tasks’ identified as priorities in building a strong educational nation. These tasks involve fostering ethics and morale among educators, enhancing the interrelation of education with science and technology, and establishing a globally influential educational center. The comprehensive understanding and execution of these tasks aim to advance China’s educational standards.

As the nation approaches its goal of becoming an educational powerhouse by 2035, the strategies outlined in this conference signal a significant commitment to addressing existing educational challenges while leveraging successful frameworks from around the globe. General Secretary Xi Jinping has positioned education as fundamental to China's modernization efforts, illustrating its role as a cornerstone of national rejuvenation.

In conclusion, the imperative to build a strong educational nation is both a responsibility and an opportunity for the country, as articulated in the discussions at the National Education Conference. With a clear direction set forth by General Secretary Xi Jinping, there is a concerted effort to realize the ambitious vision of educational excellence, guiding China toward its future aspirations.