On October 15, the 11th Education Forum of the China Democratic League was held in Jinan, Shandong Province, under the theme “Deepening Educational Reform to Accelerate the Construction of an Education Power.” Experts and scholars from across the nation gathered to discuss innovative practices in student development, the promotion of the spirit of educators, and the strengthening of the teaching workforce. Ding Zhonglie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Chairman of the China Democratic League, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Ding emphasized that education is fundamental to national development and the rejuvenation of the nation. He called for a thorough understanding and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party and the National Education Conference. He urged educators to focus on a comprehensive approach to student development from three dimensions: “holistic education,” “full-process education,” and “societal education.” Ding further highlighted the need to instill the spirit of educators within teachers, advocating for a long-term mechanism to enhance teachers’ ethics and morale. He encouraged them to embody their values, put ethics into practice, and strive to become “good teachers,” “guides,” and “mentors.”

Ding also urged the members of the China Democratic League to uphold the organization’s fine traditions, driven by a sense of responsibility towards the nation and public welfare. He encouraged them to approach educational reform with a practical and diligent attitude, engaging directly in educational initiatives and research to contribute meaningfully to building an education powerhouse and advancing modernization in China.

In his address, Xu Hairong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department, remarked that the China Democratic League, primarily focused on culture, education, and related scientific fields, has always been dedicated to education reform and enhancing national quality. He noted that the high-quality development of Shandong relies heavily on strong educational support. Under the guidance of the central league and the robust leadership of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee, the league in Shandong has prioritized education, actively engaging in policymaking and support efforts, achieving significant results.

During the opening ceremony, Xie Jingrong, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Vice Chairman of the China Democratic League, announced the decision to recognize outstanding papers. This forum received 213 papers from 30 provincial-level Democratic League organizations, as well as from the league’s central education, agriculture, youth committees, and Qizhen Think Tank. After a rigorous evaluation by experts, 71 papers were selected for recognition.

Notable keynote presentations were delivered at the forum, including topics by Ren Youqun, Secretary of the Party Committee at Shandong University; Yu Minhong, Chairman of New Oriental Education Technology Group and Director of the Central Education Committee; and Wang Dingming, Executive Vice President of Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences. Their discussions focused on the spirit of educators, desired qualities for today’s education, and the critical characteristics and strategic tasks of building a strong education nation.