On February25,the Information Office of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government held a press conference at the International Conference Hall on the third floor of GuangdongHotelto introduce the development of Guangdong’sLifelongLearningPublic Service System. Hu Jinjun,member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China(CPC)Guangdong Provincial Committee andhead of the Publicity Department of the(CPC)Guangdong Provincial Committee,was the keynote speaker.
 

Hu Jinjun,member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee,head of the Publicity Departmentof theCPC Guangdong Provincial Committee,andspokesperson for the provincialParty committee

Building alifelong learning public service systemin Guangdong is a key measure for implementing the national strategy to foster a learning-oriented society and nation.It is a strategic and foundational project aligned with Guangdong’s primary task of high-quality development and the cultivation of new quality productive forces,as well as a major livelihood initiative that safeguards citizens’right to lifelong development and enhances public well-being.In accordance with the strategic deployment of the provincial Party committee and government,the GuangdongLifelongLearningPublic Service Platform,which isorganized by the Leading Group for Educationof the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committeeand jointly undertaken by relevant departments including thePublicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee,the Office of theGuangdong Provincial Commission for Guiding Cultural and Ethical Progress,andthe Department of Education,the Department of Human Resources and Social Security,andthe Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province,as well asGuangdong Open University,was officially launched today.

The following is the full text of remarks by Hu Jinjun,member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee,head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee,and spokesperson for the provincial Party committee.

Dear friends from the media,

Good morning.

Today marks the official launch of the Guangdong Lifelong Learning Public Service Platform.We are here to present to the public the progress in building Guangdong’s lifelong learning public service system.

The development of this system is a strategic,pioneering,and foundational project planned by the provincial Party committee and government,and a major livelihood initiative closely tied to the people’s aspiration for a better life.Our core vision can be summed up as“lifelonglearning,opportunities for all to shine.”On the new journey toward high-qualitydevelopment,we will make lifelong learning,which enables everyone to excel,the defining hallmarks and an enduring trend of Guangdong’s modernization.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to build a learning-oriented society in which all residents pursuelifelong learning and study whenever and wherever they want.This represents the CPC Central Committee’s far-reaching vision for all-round human development and for building a leading country in education.The provincial Party committee and government have identified the building of a learning-oriented societybased on lifelong learning as a major strategic priority for the15th Five-YearPlan period.It is not a short-term measure,but a long-term commitment.

At the beginning of the year,Guangdong issued a public call for proposals for public cultural services under the15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate the development of aninclusive public cultural service network with greatgrowth potential.This year,we will also organize a series of mass-participation events across the province(including competitions in legal literacy,national defense awareness,choral singing,classical reading,Cantonese classic songs,and science popularization)to advance lifelong learning.These events are closely interconnected with and will reinforce the lifelong learning system.

Why are we making such a strong commitment?There are three main reasons:First,the changing times.We are living in an era of rapid knowledge expansion and accelerated transformation.Emerging technologies,particularly artificial intelligence,are profoundly reshaping production,daily life,and employment.The old notion that one skill cankeep one employable for a lifetime is no longer viable.Continuous and lifelong learning has therefore become vital to the province’s adaptations tosuchchangeswhile it is securing its future development.

Second,Guangdong’s responsibility.As an economic powerhouse and a populous province,Guangdong must take the lead in promoting development.The keytoachieving that lies in talent,and the foundation ofnurturing talent lies in education.To be a pioneer and a major driving force in achieving high-quality development,Guangdong must invest in people,promoteall-around human development,and accelerate the transformation of its large population into a strongadvantage of human resources.

Third,the needs of the people.The public aspires for a better life not only in material well-being but also in cultural enrichment,capability enhancement,and personal fulfillment.From young people seeking employment to professionals advancing their careers,farmers endeavoring to increase their income,children broadening their horizons in exploring the world,and seniors contributing to society through continued learning,all demonstrate a profound thirst for knowledge.

Our task is to ensure those needs are met effectively.What kind of system are we building?

Guangdong’s lifelong learning public service system is a super learning ecosystem and a closed-loop service system,built entirely around the needs of the people.

Not sure where to learn?We will create a“unified entry point”—log in once andyou willaccess learning resources across the entire network.Not sure what to learn?We will build a“course marketplace”that offersthe best courses from across the province and the country.Concerned about outdated content?We will introduce innovative uation mechanisms to keep courses continuously updated.Worried about practicalapplications?We will establish a“credit bank”that incentivizes learning.

Our goal is simple:to ensure that everyone can learn anywhere,anytime.

The system will focus on advancing six key initiatives:First,the ideological and political education initiative.A“power station for ideas,”it will turn Guangdong’s fruitful practice in advancing Chinese modernization into high-quality“golden courses”in ideological and political education,bringing top-tier courses and instructors closer to the public.

Second,the academic advancement initiative.This initiative is a“growth overpass”focusing on young people and industrial workers in eastern,western,and northern Guangdong.We will provide over300,000high-quality continuing education slots each year,enabling more people to pursuein-service academic advancement.

Third,the skills enhancement initiative.A“career accelerator,”this initiative targets key sectors such as advanced manufacturing,the digital economy,healthcare and elderly care,providing more than two million training opportunities each year to address skill gaps at the source andensure that what is learned aligns withcorporate needs.

Fourth,the cultural and arts promotion initiative,a“nutritional diet for the mind.”Through the“100Works in Five Years”program and the integration of digital cultural resources,fine culture,especially Lingnan culture,will be more accessible to the public.

Fifth,the“Yuexue Yueyou”(meaning'The more one learns,the more content will pop up in recommendation')brand initiative.In this“tailored service package,”we will offer a“Courier Academy”for delivery workers,“Senior Learning Classes”for older adults,anda“Rural Revitalization Academy”for new-generation farmers…In short,we will provide whatever serviceskey groups need,tailored to their specific demands.

Sixth,the learning network integration initiative to build a“unified learning network.”We will promote the development of learning-oriented cities,communities,enterprises,and households and integrate online and offline resources to build a comprehensive lifelong learning network spanning counties(cities,districts),townships(streets),and villages(communities).

What are the system’s distinctive features and value?Let me highlight several aspects:Demand-driven and open competition:Rather thanhaving been developed behind closed doors,the system draws on top-quality educational resources nationwide.We will adopt a challenge-based course development model,publicly inviting proposals based on what people most want to learn and mobilizing the best educational resources to develop the courses.

Employment-orientation and practicality:Focusing on employment,income growth,and development needs,the system removes institutional barriers,strengthens policy incentives,and deepens talent development.What people learn can translate into stronger employability and career advancement.

Credit transfer and mutual recognition:Through the“credit bank,”learning outcomes can be accumulated likebanksavings.Every course completed and certificate earned becomes a learning asset.Once accredited,these can be converted into credits for formal education,accumulating toward the attainment of relevant academic qualifications and breaking down barriers between different learninginstitutions.

Clear levels and pathways:A clear qualifications framework will be established within the system,enabling learners to understand their currentproficiency level,identify the direction for further progress,andadvance on a solid footing.

AI-enabled personalized learning:The platform will incorporate large AI modelsthat serve as attentive“intelligent learning companions”and“smart tutors,”recommending the most suitable courses,answering questions,and providing personalized learning support to enable more intelligent and effective learning.

It’s not hard to see that while the lifelong learning system is rich in content,its underlying logic is straightforward:to address,in a comprehensive way,where,what,and how to learn,and to remove barriers so thatthose who want to learn can do so effectively and apply their knowledge to practice.

Ultimately,the system aims to offerindividuals greater opportunities to excel,enhance their capacity to adapt to change,and enrich their life experience.

We warmly invite everyone,no matter where you are and what you do for a living,to log on to thisplatform,start learning,and join us in building a learning-oriented society whereanyonecan learn anywhere,anytime.Let the light of learning illuminate every dream and brighten the exciting future of Guangdong’s high-quality development.

Let me conclude by sharing three messages:learning enables everyone to shine;every effort counts here;lifelong learning is the most valuable investment one can make in oneself.