New leaders sworn in but continuity in higher education expected

By Yojana Sharma. China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) formally installed the country’s top leadership at its annual session from 5-17 March. But the higher education minister remains unchanged and analysts say ‘talent development’ will continue to be a key part of China’s economic development policy under the new leaders.
Yan Guiren, who became education minister in 2009, retains his post despite once-in-a-decade changes at the top. Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, anointed by last November’s 18th party congress, officially took over as president from Hu Jintao on 13 March, while former vice-premier Li Keqiang succeeded Wen Jiabao as premier. Read more...