The development of higher education in China and the current state of educational interchange between China and Japan

This paper is made up of two reports, on: 1. the history of reforms in Chinese higher education; and 2. the current state of and issues faced in educational interchange between China and Japan.1. The history of reforms in Chinese higher educationReform policies beginning from the end of 1978 have spread to all layers of higher education and brought about major reforms in terms of school management at universities and technical colleges, student recruitment policies, job placement after graduation, the establishment of specialist subjects and systematization of teaching materials, scientific research and expenditure, and administrative services. These reforms have been epoch-making in their capacity to improve the quality of higher education while responding to social changes such as the progress of modernization and the opening up of higher education to the masses.In view of the need to educate human resources to contribute to China\u27s modernization in the future, reforms of higher education must be promoted. The four basic policies necessary for this are: 1. reinforcing the results of reform; 2. deepening reform; 3. qualitative improvement; and 4. remaining conscious of the possibilities of continued development, and understanding the steps necessary for it.2. The current state of and issues faced in educational interchange between China and JapanChina and Japan are neighboring countries separated by a narrow band of water, and possess a long history of cultural interchange from ancient times. Between 1,200 and 1,300 years ago, Japanese students traveled to and studied in China of the Sui and Tang dynasties. Famous examples include Abe no Nakamaro (c. 698-c. 770) and Kūkai (774–835). In modern and contemporary times, however, the situation has reversed, so that it is mainly Chinese students studying in Japan. There have been two main periods. The first was the early twentieth century, from the end of the Meiji era to the early Shōwa era, following the first Sino-Japanese war of 1894–95. Representative figures include the novelist and essayist Lu Xun (Zhou Shuren, 1881–1936), the author, poet and historian Guo Moruo (1892–1970), and the former Premier, Zhou Enlai (1898–1976). The second period is that following on from the restoration of normal diplomatic relations in 1972. Since then, the educational interchange between China and Japan has developed significantly, and many Chinese who studied in Japan are now active in a variety of fields, contributing to China\u27s modernization, and political, economic, and cultural exchange. Japanese who have studied in China are also making significant contributions to Sino-Japanese exchange in a wide range of fields.In view of its importance in furthering friendly relations between the countries, student exchange needs to be strengthened, but there remain issues with regard to how to overcome difficulties involved in intercultural understanding and communication