Overview of the Landmark Seminar in Shanghai

The Ministry of Education (MOE) of China recently hosted its 2026 Annual Seminar on Ideological and Political Work in Higher Education Institutions, combined with the Promotion Meeting for the Comprehensive Reform Pilot of the Lide Shuren mechanism. Held from March 19 to 20 in Shanghai, the event drew representatives from universities and provinces nationwide. MOE Vice Minister Xiong Sihao attended and delivered a keynote speech, while Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Zhu Zhongming offered opening remarks.

Participants not only engaged in plenary discussions but also conducted on-site visits to observe practical teaching sessions by Shanghai's primary, secondary, and university ideological-political (思政, sizheng) educators at red heritage sites and innovation hubs. The seminar underscored Shanghai's leadership as a national pilot for Lide Shuren reforms, highlighting integrated approaches to moral education and talent cultivation in higher education.

Understanding Lide Shuren: The Core of Chinese Education Reform

Lide Shuren, translating to 'fostering virtue while nurturing talents,' represents the fundamental task of education in China, emphasized by President Xi Jinping. It integrates moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education (五育并举) across all stages, ensuring socialist core values permeate curricula, campus culture, and student development. In higher education, this manifests through ideological-political work that aligns academic pursuits with national rejuvenation goals.

Launched as a national priority under the New Era Lide Shuren Project—designated an 'Engine No. 1' for education powerhouse construction—reforms aim for full-process, all-staff, whole-domain育人 (yuren, educating people). Shanghai, selected as a pilot region, exemplifies this by pioneering mechanisms that embed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into every facet of university life.

Shanghai's Pioneering Role as Reform Pilot

As China's economic powerhouse and innovation hub, Shanghai was tasked with piloting Lide Shuren mechanism reforms. The city has established layered pilots across 10 universities, 15 institutes, 8 districts, and numerous schools, creating task-specific checklists. Premium Marxist colleges pair with all 16 districts, fostering synergy between higher ed and K-12.

Key frameworks include the Shanghai Pilot Scheme for Lide Shuren Mechanism Comprehensive Reform and integrated K-16思政 education plans. Outcomes? Full coverage of the 'Xi Jinping Thought Overview' course for all undergraduates and vocational students—the first city to achieve this—alongside 49 specialized theory courses and 32 individualized ones tailored to disciplines.

Keynote Insights from MOE and Shanghai Leaders

Vice Minister Xiong Sihao emphasized deepening reforms to align with Education Powerhouse goals, releasing the first batch of exemplary cases in New Era school思政 education. Zhu Zhongming highlighted Shanghai's commitment to three 'Shanghai models/schemes/paths': a course triad ('overview + specialized + individualized'), practice-based 'great classrooms' via culture, society, and digital means, and seamless K-16 integration for societal synergy.

Speakers from provinces and universities shared experiences, focusing on challenges like teacher capacity and digital integration. The event reinforced that Lide Shuren effectiveness is the ultimate measure of educational success.

Constructing the Main Classroom: Xi Jinping Thought Integration

Shanghai's 'main classroom' revolves around Xi Jinping Thought courses. The 'Shanghai Model'—overview for basics, specialized for themes like Xi Economic Thought, individualized for fields like engineering or arts—ensures relevance. A three-tier research system (city-district-school) and a training platform serve over 10,000思政 teachers in 1,000+ online groups.

Case teaching dominates: 69 university-specific cases, 18 flagship ones on 'people's city' and democracy. Virtual reality centers simulate experiences, boosting engagement—student 'head-up' and 'nod' rates have surged.MOE's report details these innovations. High evaluations stem from 'classroom showdowns' where K-16 teachers co-teach themes progressively.

Practice Education: Real-World Application in Action

The 'practice great classroom' leverages Shanghai's assets: 657 red sites, 180 patriotic bases, 104 'big思政 lessons' sites, and 2,100+ practice bases. Students log mandatory credits—25% for STEM undergrads, up to 60% for vocational—via 870,000+ internships at 100 fusion bases.

• High-art campus tours: 120+ performances.
• 30+ 'master dramas' like Chen Wangdao and Qian Xuesen.
• STEM reforms via UNESCO institute, full lab coverage.

Shanghai's ordinance mandates off-campus practice, embedding 'small self into big self' ethos.

Network New Classroom: Digital Empowerment

Digital tools amplify reach: Yiban platform (40M+ users nationwide) hosts 'Yiban Premium Courses' and 'Qingli Pai'; AI platforms analyze student dynamics as 'sentinels.' K-12 AI basics from grade 4/7; universities pilot思政 AI agents via Shanghai Chuangzhi Academy's model.

Integration yields precise guidance on ideology, career, mental health. Shanghai Education Commission's coverage notes full AI literacy push.

K-16 Integration and Synergistic Mechanisms

Shanghai's 'path' links stages: '启蒙-体验-常识-理论' progression via joint lessons. 'One-stop' communities with floor counselors; 'mentor for every student, every teacher a mentor.' Seven 'teaching alliances' fuse home-school-society: body-ed fusion, police-school ties.

美育 (aesthetics) counts practice toward credits; labor weekly 1 hour. Impacts: holistic growth, real担当 (responsibility).

Concrete Achievements and University Case Studies

2025 saw 26 exemplary cases selected, e.g., Shanghai Normal University's cross-level lessons, Shanghai Dianji University's 'high-quality思政 league.' Metrics: elevated思政 metrics, 87K internships, VR boosts.

Universities like Tongji, ECUST advance via tailored pilots.

Challenges, Solutions, and Future Outlook

Challenges: uneven teacher skills, digital divides, practice overload. Solutions: ongoing training, AI aids, credit optimizations. Future: scale 'Shanghai models' nationally by 2035, aligning with 15th FYP for education-tech-talent fusion.

Photo by Bruna Santos on Unsplash

Implications for Chinese Higher Education

This seminar signals intensified思政 in universities, blending ideology with innovation. For global observers, it showcases China's holistic model, potentially influencing international collaborations. Shanghai's success offers blueprints for quality education amid demographic shifts.