1.2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference held in London
2024 世界慕课与在线教育大会成功召开
At this conference, at Queen Mary University of London on December 12, the theme was "Reimagining the future of higher education in the intelligence era", and the concept of "the first year of intelligent education" in global higher education was presented. During the event the Report on the Digital Development of Global Higher Education (2024) and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education (2024) were published. In addition, typical applications of intelligent education were explored, and the latest achievements in educational digitalization in various countries were exhibited. There were four thematic sessions, on the reconstruction of university models, ethical risks of artificial intelligence, professional capabilities and digital literacy, and new teaching paradigms centered on practical application. More than 340 participants, including leaders and experts from 135 universities, online education platforms, international organizations and government agencies in 32 countries and regions, took part.
The 2024 Global MOOC and online education conference in session.
Why It Matters: The conference focused on the core issues of educational equity and resource sharing. MOOCs and online education are key pathways to breaking geographical barriers and ensuring broad access to high-quality educational resources. This conference not only established a new starting point conceptually by designating the "first year of smart education", but also injected strong momentum into the shared global pursuit of a more intelligent, equitable, and sustainable future for higher education through the formulation of standards, the showcasing of best practices, and the deepening of cooperation.
2. Chinese Language Conference held in Beijing
2024 世界中文大会在京举行
The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference, with the theme "Interconnection, integration, inheritance, innovation", was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from November 15 to 17. More than 2,000 attendees took part, including government officials, university presidents, experts, scholars, teachers, students and diplomats from more than 160 countries and regions. Activities included a seminar on the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, the 2024 ChinaGCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Language and Culture Forum and the 2024 World Language Education Forum. Topics of discussion included the development of Confucius Institutes, research on the application of standards on international Chinese-language education, the localization of teachers, teaching materials and teaching methodologies, digital and intelligent transformation of language education, the international application and service of Chinese language, the coordinated development of Chinese language and vocational education, language education and mutual learning among civilizations.
The World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing in session.
Why It Matters: The Chinese Language Conference is the highest-level annual event in the field of international Chinese language education and an important platform for exchange among Chinese language educators, researchers, and policymakers worldwide. As a new milestone in the development of international Chinese language education, the conference, in the context of deepening globalization, uses the Chinese language as a bridge to promote connectivity, integration, and mutual learning among civilizations.
3. Ministries of Education of China and Kenya Sign Agreement on Developing Chinese-Language Education in Kenya
中肯两国教育部签署《关于在肯尼亚开展中文教育的谅解备忘录》
Wu Yan, China’s Vice Minister of Education, and Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education of Kenya, signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries' ministries of education relating to developing Chinese-language education in Kenya on November 16 during the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing. The two countries will strengthen collaboration in areas such as training local Chinese teachers and developing teaching resources, jointly promoting the high-quality development of Chinese language education in Kenya.
Wu Yan, China's Vice Minister of Education, and Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education of Kenya, after signing the agreement.
Why It Matters: This marks a milestone in the deep cooperation between China and African countries in the field of education. The memorandum of understanding provides institutional guarantees for the long-term and stable development of Chinese language education within Kenya's official education system, and serves as an important model with demonstrative and far-reaching influence for the promotion of the Chinese language across the African continent.
4. World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference held in Tianjin
2024 年世界职业技术教育发展大会在天津举行
The 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, with the theme "Innovation empowers the future, skills enlighten new lives", was held in Tianjin on November 21. More than 1,200 delegates attended the conference, including about 600 international guests from more than 100 countries and regions. The Tianjin Consensus on the World Vocational and Technical Education Development – Ministerial Declaration of 32 Countries was adopted, and the World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League was inaugurated.
The opening ceremony of the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference.
Why It Matters: Vocational and technical education is a key pillar underpinning economic development and industrial upgrading. The World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference has created a new international platform for exchange and sharing among the global community. It has not only forged global consensus at the conceptional level and clarified the future direction of vocational education worldwide, but has also injected strong momentum into building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global vocational education ecosystem by sharing China's experience, establishing cooperation mechanisms, and showcasing innovative practices.
5.Sixth Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final held in Wuxi, Jiangsu
第六届“一带一路”青少年英语演讲比赛全球总决赛
The 6th Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final and the 29th "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition Grand Final were held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, from Oct 17 to 21. A total of 276 young speakers from around the world gathered on the shores of Taihu Lake to make their voices heard through China Daily's flagship English-speaking competitions. They attracted contestants from more than 50 countries and regions, and the "21st Century Cup" selected finalists from among more than 600,000 young people from 34 competition zones nationwide. Khaurisa Sarah Makhubele from South Africa emerged as the champion in the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final. Qu Yingpu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, told attendees of the importance of inter-civilizational exchanges, and he said that China Daily, by hosting global events, takes on the responsibility of fostering interactions and exchanges among young people worldwide.
Participants in the 6th Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final applaud the champion Khaurisa Sarah Makhubele from South Africa in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Oct 21.
Why It Matters: As a people-to-people exchange initiative in response to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, founded by China Daily in 2019, has remained committed to fostering deeper connections among young people from participating countries. Guided by the notion of “language as a bridge and culture as a medium", the competition goes far beyond a contest of linguistic proficiency; it serves as a platform for mutual learning among civilizations and a bond that brings peoples closer together, aiming to nurture future leaders with genuine global competence.
6. 2024 Global English Education China Assembly held in Zhuhai, Guangdong
2024 国际英语教育中国大会在珠海成功举办
The Global English Education China Assembly, with the theme "Promoting quality global English education in the AI era", was held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, from July 26 to 28. The conference, co-organized by China Daily, Beijing Normal University and Shanghai International Studies University, aimed to increase dialogue and collaboration in English education between China and the rest of the world, offering a high-level international platform for educators to exchange ideas. The event featured eight keynote speeches and more than 30 parallel sessions, including special sessions on English education in Belt and Road countries and sub-theme committee discussions. Experts, scholars and frontline educators from more than 20 countries and regions discussed their insights on 16 subthemes.
Attendees at the opening ceremony of the conference in Zhuhai.
Why It Matters: The Global English Education China Assembly is an international academic conference on language education approved by the Ministry of Education. It is China's largest platform for international cooperation and exchange in English education, and one of the most influential comprehensive language education events in Asia. With its forward-looking themes and global perspective, the 2024 Global English Education China Assembly has charted a clear course for foreign language educators worldwide in the age of artificial intelligence.
7.Chinese and Kazakh Education Authorities Sign Accord on Collaboration in Chinese-Language Education
中国教育部与哈萨克斯坦科学和高等教育部签署关于开展中文教育合作的协议
China's Ministry of Education and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education have signed a number of cooperation agreements, including one on Chinese-language teaching, as the two countries embark on a new phase of collaboration in international Chinese language education. Under the agreement, signed in Kazakhstan on July 3, China will support the development of Chinese-language education in Kazakhstan by training local Chinese-language teachers, sponsoring Kazakh students to study in China, and by working together in other ways.
Students in Kazakhstan are given a primer on Chinese.
Why It Matters: Kazakhstan is an important partner in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The signing of cooperation documents on Chinese language education between China and Kazakhstan represents a high-level, in-depth strategic partnership. This cooperation goes beyond the teaching of language skills; it aims to use linguistic connectivity as a bridge to deepen friendship between the two peoples and to provide solid human resource support for sustained cooperation across a wide range of fields.
8. China and UAE Sign Agreement on Chinese-Language Education
中国与阿联酋签署《关于合作开展中文教育的谅解备忘录》
China's Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates, with public education institutions in the UAE, have signed a memorandum of cooperation for Chinese-language education. This marks another significant step toward deepening educational collaboration between the two countries following the UAE's decision to formally incorporate Chinese-language learning into its national education system in 2019. The memorandum outlines a collaborative effort to promote Chinese language learning in the UAE. This will be achieved through various initiatives, including expert and personnel exchanges.
Why It Matters: Cooperation between China and Arab countries in Chinese language education is a high-level, institutionalized form of bilateral collaboration. It marks the successful expansion of China–Arab relations from "hard" cooperation centered on energy and trade to a new stage of "soft" cooperation grounded in language, culture, and talent development.
9. 2024 World Digital Education Conference Held in Shanghai
2024 世界数字教育大会在上海开幕
The 2024 World Digital Education Conference jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Education, China's National Commission for UNESCO and Shanghai Municipal People's Government opened in Shanghai on Jan 30. Under the theme "Digital education: Application, sharing, innovation", the attendees discussed topics including the digitization of education governance and the governance of digital education, and the World Digital Education Alliance was established. More than 800 representatives of China and of other countries and international organizations attended.
Inauguration Ceremony of World Digital Education Alliance
Why It Matters: The World Digital Education Conference is a major international platform for global exchange in digital education. It has not only built global consensus at the conceptual level and clarified the direction of digital education development, but has also injected strong momentum into building a more open, inclusive, and resilient global digital education ecosystem through practical measures such as establishing cooperative alliances, launching international platforms, and releasing evaluation indices.
10. China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum Held in Beijing
中国—乌兹别克斯坦百校合作论坛在北京举行
The China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum, hosted by China's Ministry of Education and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations, was held in Beijing on Jan 22. Those attending included representatives of the two ministries, the Uzbekistan embassy in Beijing, universities of China and Uzbekistan and other government agencies. Among the topics discussed were new paths and new measures for international exchanges and collaboration in higher education between the two countries. A number of strategic agreements on cooperation projects were reached, and other issues discussed related to the dialogue mechanism of higher education between China and Uzbekistan and strengthening mutual exchange between the cultures of the two countries, and the Beijing Declaration on China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation was issued.
Ge Shirong, President of China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Rector of Bukhara State University Khamidov read and issued the Beijing Declaration on China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation.
Why It Matters: Uzbekistan is an important country in the joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a key opening event in the education sector for the year, the China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum marks the entry of educational cooperation between the two countries into a new stage characterized by larger scale, broader scope, and deeper engagement. Connectivity in education helps enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, laying a solid foundation for the smooth advancement of cooperation between China and Uzbekistan across all fields.
At this conference, at Queen Mary University of London on December 12, the theme was "Reimagining the future of higher education in the intelligence era", and the concept of "the first year of intelligent education" in global higher education was presented. During the event the Report on the Digital Development of Global Higher Education (2024) and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education (2024) were published. In addition, typical applications of intelligent education were explored, and the latest achievements in educational digitalization in various countries were exhibited. There were four thematic sessions, on the reconstruction of university models, ethical risks of artificial intelligence, professional capabilities and digital literacy, and new teaching paradigms centered on practical application. More than 340 participants, including leaders and experts from 135 universities, online education platforms, international organizations and government agencies in 32 countries and regions, took part.
The 2024 Global MOOC and online education conference in session.
Why It Matters: The conference focused on the core issues of educational equity and resource sharing. MOOCs and online education are key pathways to breaking geographical barriers and ensuring broad access to high-quality educational resources. This conference not only established a new starting point conceptually by designating the "first year of smart education", but also injected strong momentum into the shared global pursuit of a more intelligent, equitable, and sustainable future for higher education through the formulation of standards, the showcasing of best practices, and the deepening of cooperation.
2. Chinese Language Conference held in Beijing
2024 世界中文大会在京举行
The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference, with the theme "Interconnection, integration, inheritance, innovation", was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from November 15 to 17. More than 2,000 attendees took part, including government officials, university presidents, experts, scholars, teachers, students and diplomats from more than 160 countries and regions. Activities included a seminar on the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, the 2024 ChinaGCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Language and Culture Forum and the 2024 World Language Education Forum. Topics of discussion included the development of Confucius Institutes, research on the application of standards on international Chinese-language education, the localization of teachers, teaching materials and teaching methodologies, digital and intelligent transformation of language education, the international application and service of Chinese language, the coordinated development of Chinese language and vocational education, language education and mutual learning among civilizations.
The World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing in session.
Why It Matters: The Chinese Language Conference is the highest-level annual event in the field of international Chinese language education and an important platform for exchange among Chinese language educators, researchers, and policymakers worldwide. As a new milestone in the development of international Chinese language education, the conference, in the context of deepening globalization, uses the Chinese language as a bridge to promote connectivity, integration, and mutual learning among civilizations.
3. Ministries of Education of China and Kenya Sign Agreement on Developing Chinese-Language Education in Kenya
中肯两国教育部签署《关于在肯尼亚开展中文教育的谅解备忘录》
Wu Yan, China’s Vice Minister of Education, and Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education of Kenya, signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries' ministries of education relating to developing Chinese-language education in Kenya on November 16 during the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing. The two countries will strengthen collaboration in areas such as training local Chinese teachers and developing teaching resources, jointly promoting the high-quality development of Chinese language education in Kenya.
Wu Yan, China's Vice Minister of Education, and Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education of Kenya, after signing the agreement.
Why It Matters: This marks a milestone in the deep cooperation between China and African countries in the field of education. The memorandum of understanding provides institutional guarantees for the long-term and stable development of Chinese language education within Kenya's official education system, and serves as an important model with demonstrative and far-reaching influence for the promotion of the Chinese language across the African continent.
4. World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference held in Tianjin
2024 年世界职业技术教育发展大会在天津举行
The 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, with the theme "Innovation empowers the future, skills enlighten new lives", was held in Tianjin on November 21. More than 1,200 delegates attended the conference, including about 600 international guests from more than 100 countries and regions. The Tianjin Consensus on the World Vocational and Technical Education Development – Ministerial Declaration of 32 Countries was adopted, and the World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League was inaugurated.
The opening ceremony of the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference.
Why It Matters: Vocational and technical education is a key pillar underpinning economic development and industrial upgrading. The World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference has created a new international platform for exchange and sharing among the global community. It has not only forged global consensus at the conceptional level and clarified the future direction of vocational education worldwide, but has also injected strong momentum into building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global vocational education ecosystem by sharing China's experience, establishing cooperation mechanisms, and showcasing innovative practices.
5.Sixth Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final held in Wuxi, Jiangsu
第六届“一带一路”青少年英语演讲比赛全球总决赛
The 6th Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final and the 29th "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition Grand Final were held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, from Oct 17 to 21. A total of 276 young speakers from around the world gathered on the shores of Taihu Lake to make their voices heard through China Daily's flagship English-speaking competitions. They attracted contestants from more than 50 countries and regions, and the "21st Century Cup" selected finalists from among more than 600,000 young people from 34 competition zones nationwide. Khaurisa Sarah Makhubele from South Africa emerged as the champion in the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final. Qu Yingpu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, told attendees of the importance of inter-civilizational exchanges, and he said that China Daily, by hosting global events, takes on the responsibility of fostering interactions and exchanges among young people worldwide.
Participants in the 6th Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Global Final applaud the champion Khaurisa Sarah Makhubele from South Africa in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Oct 21.
Why It Matters: As a people-to-people exchange initiative in response to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, founded by China Daily in 2019, has remained committed to fostering deeper connections among young people from participating countries. Guided by the notion of “language as a bridge and culture as a medium", the competition goes far beyond a contest of linguistic proficiency; it serves as a platform for mutual learning among civilizations and a bond that brings peoples closer together, aiming to nurture future leaders with genuine global competence.
6. 2024 Global English Education China Assembly held in Zhuhai, Guangdong
2024 国际英语教育中国大会在珠海成功举办
The Global English Education China Assembly, with the theme "Promoting quality global English education in the AI era", was held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, from July 26 to 28. The conference, co-organized by China Daily, Beijing Normal University and Shanghai International Studies University, aimed to increase dialogue and collaboration in English education between China and the rest of the world, offering a high-level international platform for educators to exchange ideas. The event featured eight keynote speeches and more than 30 parallel sessions, including special sessions on English education in Belt and Road countries and sub-theme committee discussions. Experts, scholars and frontline educators from more than 20 countries and regions discussed their insights on 16 subthemes.
Attendees at the opening ceremony of the conference in Zhuhai.
Why It Matters: The Global English Education China Assembly is an international academic conference on language education approved by the Ministry of Education. It is China's largest platform for international cooperation and exchange in English education, and one of the most influential comprehensive language education events in Asia. With its forward-looking themes and global perspective, the 2024 Global English Education China Assembly has charted a clear course for foreign language educators worldwide in the age of artificial intelligence.
7.Chinese and Kazakh Education Authorities Sign Accord on Collaboration in Chinese-Language Education
中国教育部与哈萨克斯坦科学和高等教育部签署关于开展中文教育合作的协议
China's Ministry of Education and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education have signed a number of cooperation agreements, including one on Chinese-language teaching, as the two countries embark on a new phase of collaboration in international Chinese language education. Under the agreement, signed in Kazakhstan on July 3, China will support the development of Chinese-language education in Kazakhstan by training local Chinese-language teachers, sponsoring Kazakh students to study in China, and by working together in other ways.
Students in Kazakhstan are given a primer on Chinese.
Why It Matters: Kazakhstan is an important partner in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The signing of cooperation documents on Chinese language education between China and Kazakhstan represents a high-level, in-depth strategic partnership. This cooperation goes beyond the teaching of language skills; it aims to use linguistic connectivity as a bridge to deepen friendship between the two peoples and to provide solid human resource support for sustained cooperation across a wide range of fields.
8. China and UAE Sign Agreement on Chinese-Language Education
中国与阿联酋签署《关于合作开展中文教育的谅解备忘录》
China's Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates, with public education institutions in the UAE, have signed a memorandum of cooperation for Chinese-language education. This marks another significant step toward deepening educational collaboration between the two countries following the UAE's decision to formally incorporate Chinese-language learning into its national education system in 2019. The memorandum outlines a collaborative effort to promote Chinese language learning in the UAE. This will be achieved through various initiatives, including expert and personnel exchanges.
Why It Matters: Cooperation between China and Arab countries in Chinese language education is a high-level, institutionalized form of bilateral collaboration. It marks the successful expansion of China–Arab relations from "hard" cooperation centered on energy and trade to a new stage of "soft" cooperation grounded in language, culture, and talent development.
9. 2024 World Digital Education Conference Held in Shanghai
2024 世界数字教育大会在上海开幕
The 2024 World Digital Education Conference jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Education, China's National Commission for UNESCO and Shanghai Municipal People's Government opened in Shanghai on Jan 30. Under the theme "Digital education: Application, sharing, innovation", the attendees discussed topics including the digitization of education governance and the governance of digital education, and the World Digital Education Alliance was established. More than 800 representatives of China and of other countries and international organizations attended.
Inauguration Ceremony of World Digital Education Alliance
Why It Matters: The World Digital Education Conference is a major international platform for global exchange in digital education. It has not only built global consensus at the conceptual level and clarified the direction of digital education development, but has also injected strong momentum into building a more open, inclusive, and resilient global digital education ecosystem through practical measures such as establishing cooperative alliances, launching international platforms, and releasing evaluation indices.
10. China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum Held in Beijing
中国—乌兹别克斯坦百校合作论坛在北京举行
The China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum, hosted by China's Ministry of Education and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations, was held in Beijing on Jan 22. Those attending included representatives of the two ministries, the Uzbekistan embassy in Beijing, universities of China and Uzbekistan and other government agencies. Among the topics discussed were new paths and new measures for international exchanges and collaboration in higher education between the two countries. A number of strategic agreements on cooperation projects were reached, and other issues discussed related to the dialogue mechanism of higher education between China and Uzbekistan and strengthening mutual exchange between the cultures of the two countries, and the Beijing Declaration on China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation was issued.
Ge Shirong, President of China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Rector of Bukhara State University Khamidov read and issued the Beijing Declaration on China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation.
Why It Matters: Uzbekistan is an important country in the joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a key opening event in the education sector for the year, the China-Uzbekistan University Cooperation Forum marks the entry of educational cooperation between the two countries into a new stage characterized by larger scale, broader scope, and deeper engagement. Connectivity in education helps enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, laying a solid foundation for the smooth advancement of cooperation between China and Uzbekistan across all fields.