China's Impact on the Global Education Ecosystem Today

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global education, digital transformation is proving to be a fundamental driver of change. Since 2022, China has embarked on the ambitious National Education Digitalization Strategy, deploying advanced digital technologies to actualize long-held educational ideals such as 'education for all' and 'teaching according to individual aptitude'. This initiative marks a significant shift towards a new paradigm where learning is characterized by accessibility, allowing every individual to engage in educational pursuits from any location and at any time.

A representative from the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges within China's Ministry of Education emphasized that China holds the title of the largest digital education resource platform worldwide. This position empowers China to actively promote the internationalization of its digital education initiatives, aiming to extend high-quality educational resources globally. In doing so, China seeks to both share its strengths in education and adopt advanced methodologies from international counterparts, thereby contributing to the reduction of global educational disparities and promoting equitable access to learning.

Digital transformation continues to occupy a central role in educational reform across the globe. The ongoing technological revolution, propelled by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, is redefining educational frameworks and methodologies. Governments worldwide are establishing strategic plans aimed at enhancing their educational landscapes through the integration of digital technologies, aiming for more inclusive and high-quality educational offerings.

The Global Digital Education Development Index of 2024, published by the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences, places China in a respectable 9th position among 62 evaluated countries, reflecting a commendable status in digital education development. This index, which assessed countries from a diverse array of economic and demographic backgrounds, is being expanded in 2025 to include 72 nations, thus enhancing its comprehensiveness.

As noted by Ma Xiaoqiang, director of the Educational Statistics and Analysis Institute, research indicates that the development of digital education globally can be categorized into five stages: initiation, resource sharing, data-driven education, AI integration, and ecological reshaping. China, with its vast educational system, sees a simultaneous presence of three stages—resource sharing, data-driven approaches, and AI integration. While notable strides have been made, there's still significant potential for advancements.

A promising trend emerges as 68% of the countries studied are actively involved in resource-sharing efforts, leveraging digital educational resources effectively, while 19% have adopted data-driven techniques in their educational practices. Interestingly, few nations have begun to implement innovative uses of artificial intelligence in education, indicating that much work remains to shift towards holistic educational ecosystems.

China has made remarkable progress in the accessibility of digital education. Remarkably, by 2020, internet access in primary and secondary schools achieved a 100% rate. With the launch of the national education digitization strategy in 2022, the country established a comprehensive public service platform for smart education, which spans all educational stages and offers resources to foster continuous learning for people of all ages.

The establishment of the National Smart Education Public Service Platform has led to an increasing number of high-quality digital resources being made available. Collaborative initiatives linking rural and urban schools through synchronous teaching reinforce the platform's capabilities, enabling interactive instructional experiences where high-quality courses are accessible regardless of geographical barriers.

In the midst of these advancements, the Chinese education sector remains focused on international collaboration. The Chinese Ministry of Education has outlined plans to enhance the global integrated classroom initiative. In cooperation with 49 universities across 24 countries, including prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University, the initiative has attracted numerous domestic and international students into online learning exchanges.

At the forefront of the World Digital Education Conference, it was highlighted that the integration of artificial intelligence into education has become a pivotal theme for reform. With over 95% of countries prioritizing this focus, it underscores the collective need to adapt education systems to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. In exploring what future educational environments may look like, demonstrations at the conference showcased the innovative potential of combining AI with immersive technologies.

Looking ahead, China's commitment to advancing digital education aims to not just transform its local educational landscape but also build collaborative ties internationally. By embracing a holistic approach, China seeks to reshape global educational paradigms and work collaboratively with other nations to redefine education in this new digital age.