^aResearch Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-2-3, Higashi Hiroshima 739-8513, Japan. E-mail: futao@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Abstract

This article identifies the international and domestic drivers of current changes in China's higher education. It then touches on the national agenda and policy concerning reforms in China's higher education since the 1990s. By arguing factors that are affecting and will affect changes, it is pointed out that two focuses can be seen in recent reforms in China's higher education: qualitative enhancement and quantitative expansion. Based on examining the qualitative improvement and massification of higher education in China, major trends and issues are discussed.