The Chinese government is expected to address these and other concerns raised during the process of consultation. These range from improvement in the status, morale and professionalism of teachers to the employment prospects of university graduates, the increasing load of the school bag, rote learning and the examination system.

China has the political commitment, resources and institutional capacity to implement its plans and programs. Based on its past record, it can be concluded that China will transform these policy intentions into concrete realities. In that case, the Chinese education system will usher in a quiet revolution propelling China into a new era of modernization, prosperity and harmony.

The author is the director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing and UNESCO Representative to China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia and the Republic of Korea.