Project 211

‘Project 211’ stands for the resolution of the Ministry of Education embodying the Chinese government’s commitment to strengthening the top hundred universities and certain key disciplinary areas as a national priority for the twenty-first century. This project is the largest key programme for the reform of higher education since 1949 in the PRC.

Begun in 1993, investment had reached 15 billion yuan by the end of August 2000. Of this 1.5 billion came from local governments and other channels and departments. So far, ninety-eight top universities and 602 key disciplines have been approved for participation. Since the central and local governments and various departments have joined hands to increase funding for the universities and disciplines, the manpower, material resources and financial resources have been better allocated within the designated universities.

WANG XIAOLU