The MOE convened the 2024 National Conference on Digital Education Progress on Dec. 27 to review the progress in implementing the National Strategic Action for Digital Education in the last three years and outline key initiatives for the next three years. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng delivered a keynote address.
Huai highlighted that under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, education digitalization has become a core component of building a “Digital China” and an educational powerhouse. Over the past three years, the Smart Education of China, a national smart education public service platform, has provided robust support for teaching, learning, and research. These achievements, Huai noted, have laid a strong foundation for advancing high-quality digital education.
Looking ahead to 2025, Huai outlined key priorities for advancing digital education. He emphasized strengthening institutional frameworks—including leadership structures, operational systems, and evaluation mechanisms—to seamlessly integrate digital practices into routine education. Huai called for enhancing digital literacy among educators and administrators, fostering the mindset shifts crucial for effective implementation. He stressed the need for indigenous innovation and customization of digital tools to meet specific institutional needs, and called for the inclusion of these applications’ impact in evaluation metrics. He advocated for a forward-thinking approach, urging investment in cutting-edge research, including educational AI models, while maintaining rigorous quality, security, and privacy standards. He also stressed the importance of establishing China as a leader in digital education through global engagement via international events, partnerships, and publications.
Huai also stressed the importance of cybersecurity in digital education, calling for robust measures to safeguard content and data and promote ethical AI practices.
The meeting celebrated key achievements, including the launch of the National Lifelong Education Platform and awards to outstanding contributors to digital resource development. Representatives from various provinces and institutions showcased successful case studies, highlighting the transformative impact of digital education in China. The conference was held in a hybrid format to increase accessibility and participation.
