World Class 2.0: China’s Major Initiative in Higher Education

In September 2017, China released a list of universities to be developed into world-class universities or universities with world-class disciplines. As Xi Jinping’s most important initiative in higher education, the “Double World-Class” project is expected to advance Chinese universities in major international league tables. While the best Chinese universities aspire to equal the world’s best, deeper changes are needed in the governing of universities, allocating of research funding and fostering of conducive research environment.