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Forging Giants – The Story of China’s Project 985 & 211

Forging Giants The Story of China's Project 985 & 211

In the late 20th century, China embarked on an ambitious journey to elevate its higher education system to global prominence. Two landmark initiatives, Project 211 and Project 985, were born from this vision, channeling immense resources to create a league of elite universities. This infographic explores their origins, profound impact, and the evolution of China’s quest for academic excellence.

Project 211

115

Universities

Launched in 1995

Aimed to strengthen about 100 key universities for the 21st century, enhancing their research standards and overall quality.

Project 985

39

Elite Universities

Launched in 1998

A more exclusive initiative to propel a select group of universities from the 211 cohort into the ranks of world-class institutions.

A Timeline of Ambition

Geographic Concentration of Elite Universities

The projects led to a significant concentration of top universities in a few key regions, particularly in major political and economic hubs.

Concentrated Investment

A small fraction of universities received the vast majority of government research funding, creating a stark resource divide in the higher education landscape.

Surge in Global Research Impact

The focused investment dramatically boosted the research output of elite Chinese universities, as measured by publications in internationally recognized scientific journals.

The Social & Economic Ripple Effect

The prestige of a 985/211 degree created a clear hierarchy that extended far beyond academia, deeply influencing the job market and social mobility.

The Next Chapter: Double First-Class

Launched in 2017, this new initiative replaces the fixed identities of 985/211 with a more flexible, competitive, and discipline-focused approach to building world-class institutions.

  • Dynamic Selection

    University and discipline selections are not permanent and are re-evaluated periodically, fostering continuous competition.

  • Discipline-Focused

    A university can be recognized for world-class status in specific fields, not just as an overall institution, allowing more specialized schools to gain prestige.

  • Broader Inclusion

    The plan includes a wider range of universities than the original Project 985, aiming to reduce the stark resource gap and cultivate excellence across the system.

Special Analytical Report: The 985 and 211 Projects—From Strategy to Legacy in China's Higher Education Reform

Projects 985 and 211 fundamentally reshaped Chinese higher education, creating globally competitive universities but also deepening inequalities. Their legacy continues in the new “Double First-Class” strategy, which aims to build on their success while creating a more balanced and dynamic system for the future.

Mr.Totsabhorn Lertpichate

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thai-Chinese Business development data Center

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