China's Education System Serves 250 Million, Drives Global Ambitions

China's education system, serving over 250 million students, is deeply politicized and used as a tool for ideological control by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as revealed by former teacher Wang Mengmeng, who described mandatory political indoctrination and its psychological toll on educators. Despite this, China continues to excel academically, with high literacy rates, top PISA rankings, and significant investment in STEM education, producing millions of graduates annually and aiming to develop world-class universities by 2030. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is enhancing its education sector by integrating advanced technology through partnerships like the one between Hong Kong Education City and Tencent WeTech Academy, aiming to create a digital education ecosystem aligned with its goal of becoming an international innovation hub. Across Asia, education systems reflect a blend of tradition and innovation, with countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and India showcasing diverse approaches that fuel economic growth and technological leadership, while regional initiatives work to bridge disparities. These developments highlight Asia's pivotal role in shaping global education trends, balancing cultural values with modernization and technological advancement.