In early 2026, a nationwide campaign swept through China's higher education landscape, with universities mobilizing to establish and practice what is termed the 'correct view of political achievements'—a core concept championed by President Xi Jinping. This initiative, prominently featured on the front page of China Education Daily on April 7, represents a strategic push to align university leadership with long-term national goals, emphasizing people-centered development, scientific decision-making, and genuine hard work over superficial gains. The campaign underscores the Communist Party of China's (CPC) commitment to building an education powerhouse during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030), ensuring higher education contributes meaningfully to Chinese-style modernization.
The 'correct view of political achievements,' or zhengji guan in Chinese, is defined as pursuing accomplishments that truly benefit the people, stand the test of practice, history, and public approval. It rejects formalism, bureaucracy, short-termism, and 'image engineering'—practices where leaders prioritize visible projects for personal acclaim rather than sustainable progress. Xi Jinping has articulated this in numerous speeches, stressing that 'benefiting the people is the greatest political achievement.' This philosophy guides cadres to focus on real outcomes in education, such as fostering talent, advancing research, and improving teaching quality.
National Launch and Party Directives
The campaign was officially announced on February 26, 2026, when the CPC Central Office issued a notification to conduct the study and education across the Party, targeting county-level and above leadership, especially 'top leaders' or '一把手.' Running from post-Spring Festival to late July 2026, it follows the total requirement of 'establish the Party for the public, benefit the people, scientific decision-making, true work and hard work' (li dang wei gong, wei min zao fu, ke xue jue ce, zhen zhuo gan zu).
This builds on Xi's article published in Qiushi magazine on March 31, 2026, compiling his key discourses. Universities, as key Party strongholds, responded swiftly. The Ministry of Education (MOE) convened a meeting on March 12 to coordinate, establishing mechanisms with other ministries to oversee 31 centrally-managed universities, setting a tone for nationwide implementation.The MOE's reading class from March 12-16 exemplified leadership commitment, with Minister Huai Jinpeng urging 'political, ideological, and action awareness' through original texts and practical application.
Front-Page Spotlight in China Education Daily
The campaign's prominence in higher education was cemented by a comprehensive overview in China Education Daily's April 7 front-page headline: 'With the Correct View of Political Achievements to Work and Innovate, Accelerate Building an Education Powerhouse.' This article detailed how 75 MOE-affiliated universities, 2,744 secondary Party organizations, and 46,966 grassroots branches activated layered deployments. It highlighted the campaign's role in anchoring moral education (li de shu ren) and education powerhouse goals, amid the '15th Five-Year Plan' launch.
Publication timing aligned with intensified efforts, signaling to educators that real performance—measured by student outcomes, research impact, and societal contributions—defines success. This media focus amplified urgency, inspiring campuses to integrate the campaign with daily operations.
Ministry of Education's Strategic Coordination
The MOE played a pivotal role, holding its own reading class where leaders engaged in self-study, expert reports, and discussions. Minister Huai outlined four pillars: premise of a new education view, core of people-centered education, key of high-quality development support, and endpoint of uniting knowledge with action for results. Guidance extended to surveys at contact universities, weekly reports, and collaboration for mid-managed institutions.
This top-down approach ensured grassroots penetration, with Party secretaries leading by example. By linking to the Education Powerhouse Action Plan (2024-2027), the MOE positioned the campaign as a driver for reforms like digital transformation and international collaboration.
Tsinghua University: Model Implementation
Tsinghua University, often called China's MIT, set a benchmark. Its leadership reading class began March 16, featuring reports by Professor Yang Xue冬 on Xi's discourses and integration with Tsinghua traditions. Secretary Qiu Yong stressed transforming learning into '15th Five-Year Plan' actions, balancing 'visible' and 'latent' achievements.
On April 2-3, a seminar for 200 top cadres included discussions on 'who for, what kind, how to achieve political performance.' Leaders like President Li Luming emphasized long-term planning. By March 15, all 61 departments and 1,586 branches completed phases, compiling Xi's Tsinghua-specific instructions.Tsinghua's approach integrates Party building with innovation hubs, yielding early outcomes like AI-education pilots.
Peking University: Layered Responsibility System
Peking University (PKU) implemented a three-tier system: school Party committee, grassroots committees, branches. Its theoretical center group held sessions March 13 and April 2, with Vice President Zhang Zhongjun from Central Party School delivering reports on connotations, significance, and anti-formalism measures.
Secretary He Guangcai called for deep study-inspection-rectification, benchmarking Xi's 'three foundational tasks' for PKU. Focus areas include integrated education-science-talent development and 'Management Efficiency Year,' ensuring cadres create 'solid achievements benefiting faculty and students.'
Innovative Approaches Across Campuses
Universities tailored methods culturally. Zhejiang University used 'multi-meeting linkage' for responsibility. Wuhan University of Technology's 'three linkages' (school-institute-enterprise, etc.) enhanced chains of learning-practice-education.
Red heritage shone: Renmin University compiled school histories; Xi'an Jiaotong tied to 130th anniversary and Westward Migration spirit. Tianjin University's 'three realities' (situations, measures, effects) resonated widely. Forms included micro-lessons (Xiamen University), exhibitions (Tongji), and online platforms (Northeast Forestry).
Integration with '15th Five-Year Plan' and Education Goals
The campaign synchronizes with '15th FYP' planning. Fudan University uses Xi's 120th anniversary letter as 'first yardstick.' Hefei University fuses with quantum/fusion energy strategies. Southeast pushes 'Famous World Strategy,' South China advances reforms.
This step-by-step: 1) Study Xi's excerpts; 2) Self-inspection for deviations; 3) Rectify via mechanisms; 4) Institutionalize for longevity; 5) Public feedback. Outcomes target high-quality HE: better talent cultivation, research commercialization, equity.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Early Impacts
Leaders praise alignment with missions. Huazhong Sci-Tech leverages bases; Beijing Normal academicizes concepts for classrooms. Cadres report heightened focus on sustainability over 'quick wins.'
Statistics show momentum: MOE's 75 universities fully deployed; Tsinghua 100% coverage. Early wins include refined planning, anti-bureaucracy drives, boosting morale for education强国.
Photo by lastmayday on Unsplash
Global Implications and Future Outlook
For international academics, this signals stable, mission-driven Chinese HE, attracting collaborations. Future: sustained till July, embedding in governance, potentially elevating rankings via real innovation.
As Xi notes, 'nail the nails with spirit'—persistent effort promises enduring legacies, positioning China as education leader by 2035.