Traditional Reform Philosophy and Challenges of Higher Education Reforms in China
Yuzhuo Cai

Abstract
Modernization in China is subject to Western impact. As the development of Chinese modern higher education is a part of social modernization, a particular challenge for China is how to afford a symbiosis between western modernity and its own tradition. Since the late 19th century, China adopted a ti-yong theory—borrowing from the West what was useful (yong) without losing the essence (ti) of Chinese values—to start its modernization process. Theti-yong theory alsoinfluenced the development of modern higher education since the late 19th century and even the transformation of higher education in the past three decades. This study specially argues and explains that the nature of ti-yong reform philosophy has inevitably caused challenges in the post-1990s Chinese higher education reforms.

Full Text: PDF