Chinese Government Launched the First National Official Policy Paper on Learning Cities

In August 2014, the first Chinese national official policy paper on learning cities, entitled “The Decision on Promoting Building Learning Cities” was jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and six other Chinese central government ministries. It will serve as the guideline for the development of learning cities in China.

In October 2013, China successfully co-hosted, with UNESCO, the first International Conference on Learning Cities in Beijing. The Vice-Premier of the State Council, Ms Liu Yandong, in her opening speech for the Conference, affirmed the determination of the Chinese government to develop learning cities and proposed that China should tighten the links between the construction of learning cities, economic development, new urbanisation construction, and civilisation.

The launch of this official policy paper is a concrete follow-up of the first International Conference on Learning Cities and has demonstrated China’s active response to UNESCO’s call for promoting lifelong learning and developing learning cities in international communities.

The policy paper has formulated the overall goals, main tasks and policy measures of building learning cities in China. In particular, the paper envisions a holistic approach of proceeding with the construction of learning cities in China, suggesting collaborations and coalitions across governmental departments in leading and facilitating the process. The issue of this first policy paper has further raised the public awareness in developing learning cities in China and will provide a high-level guideline for concrete actions.