Toward a Chinese model: De-Sovietization reforms of China’s higher education in the 1980s and 1990s

The reform and success of China’s higher education since 1978 has attracted much attention in recent years. This article attempts to understand the nature of this reform from the perspective of de-Sovietization, outside the mainstream neoliberal and internationalization narratives. In the 1950s, China’s higher education was completely reformed by the Soviet Model with features of separating teaching and research, excessive specialization in undergraduate education, and high centralization. Moreover, Chinese institutions were increasingly disconnected from the international academic community. During the 1980s and 1990s, China started de-Sovietization reform and took measures to strengthen general education, develop comprehensive universities, integrate teaching and scientific research, and expand the autonomy of colleges and universities. De-Sovietization reform was also a process of relearning from Western countries, of which learning from the American experience was prominent. In this process, Chinese universities resumed ties with the international academic community. De-Sovietization reform has left an important impact on the development of contemporary universities in China.