Event Focuses on Building a Digitally Empowered Learning Society

On June 26, 2025, the Ministry of Education, alongside relevant departments, organized an event at the National Open University focused on creating a digitally empowered learning society. This initiative aims to translate the vision of a learning society into actionable plans underpinned by a comprehensive three-year action plan. Huai Jinpeng, Party Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Education, was present and delivered a keynote address.

In his address, Huai Jinpeng emphasized that the construction of a learning society represents a fundamental strategic direction established by the Party Central Committee. Since the 18th National Congress, there has been a consistent emphasis from General Secretary Xi Jinping on the necessity of learning societies, providing essential guidance and direction for fostering such environments. The Party's 20th National Congress has further highlighted the objective of advancing educational digitalization to establish a society where lifelong learning is the norm.

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the urgent demands for creating a learning society, particularly in the context of global development, technological advancements, and demographic shifts, including population aging. Huai outlined how the rapid pace of knowledge renewal and digital innovations present unique opportunities for building a robust lifelong education system. The ministry is committed to enhancing educational resources and creating platforms that cater to the evolving needs of learners.

A crucial part of this initiative involves the development of a national lifelong education platform designed to improve the employability of university graduates through resource accessibility. Emphasis is placed on implementing the 'Double Thousand' plan, which aims to expand learning opportunities in employment, vocational skill enhancement, and family education. By establishing policy frameworks that support continuous learning, the ministry intends to embed lifelong learning as a societal norm.

Furthermore, Huai Jinpeng discussed the importance of a multi-faceted approach in promoting a learning society. He advocated for the integration of artificial intelligence and educational methodologies to create adaptive learning environments. This includes fostering a robust digital infrastructure that will facilitate personalized learning experiences while broadening access to educational resources that align with individual needs.

In addition to policy improvements, Huai called for a collective effort from various sectors to nurture a sustainable learning ecosystem. This collaborative approach requires connecting formal education with practical real-world learning environments, driven by data analysis and big data to understand the learning preferences of the community. The goal is to transition from isolated educational experiences to a more interconnected and supportive learning culture.

Wu Yan, vice-minister of the Ministry of Education, announced the launch of a campaign aimed at sharing valuable resources for lifelong learning during the event. The event also marked the beginning of pilot efforts to facilitate the establishment of a digitally-enabled learning society, alongside enhancements to the National Smart Education Platform.

The event utilized both online and offline formats to ensure broad participation. Key representatives from government departments, educational institutions, and various professional organizations engaged in discussions on promoting lifelong learning initiatives. Notably, participants had the opportunity to view exhibitions showcasing the progress achieved in fostering a learning society prior to the formal proceedings.

This gathering underscores the government's commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment that champions the principles of lifelong learning across all demographics. The endeavor not only aims to learn from international best practices but also to share China's successful experiences globally, thereby contributing to a more profound understanding of lifelong education systems.