China Justice Observer

中司观察

EnglishArabicChinese (Simplified)DutchFrenchGermanHindiItalianJapaneseKoreanPortugueseRussianSpanishSwedishHebrewIndonesianVietnameseThaiTurkishMalay

China Allows Foreign Universities to Set up Schools in Hainan

Mon, 10 Jul 2023
Categories: China Legal Trends

On 22 Mar. 2023, China’s Ministry of Education and the Government of Hainan Province issued the “Interim Provisions on Establishing Schools in the Hainan Free Trade Port by Overseas Higher Education Institutions” (hereinafter the “Provisions”, 境外高等教育机构在海南自由贸易港办学暂行规定).

In accordance with the Provisions, high-level universities and vocational colleges independently established abroad and in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may establish schools that provide junior college, bachelor and above education in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

An overseas institution of higher education establishing schools in Hainan shall meet the following conditions:

  • It has a good reputation for running a school and is internationally renowned;
  • It has disciplinary strengths in science, technology, agriculture, and medicine; and
  • Its graduates are fully employed and have a good reputation in the industry.

Schools established in Hainan shall, in accordance with China’s requirements for educational institutions of the same level and type, offer courses including the PRC Constitution, laws, civic virtues, and national conditions.

These schools shall set up decision-making bodies. A decision-making body shall consist of representatives of the overseas institution of higher education, the president, the head of the party organization, faculty and staff representatives, and representatives of the public.

 

Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team

Save as PDF

You might also like

China Enacts Landmark Private Economy Promotion Law

China enacted its landmark first Private Economy Promotion Law, effective May 20, 2025, to guarantee fair competition, streamline market access via a unified negative list, and bolster private enterprises through financing, innovation, and service support.

China Strengthens Criminal IP Protection with New Rules

In April 2025, China’s top court and procuratorate jointly issued a new judicial interpretation to clarify standards for handling criminal intellectual property infringement cases, aiming to strengthen IP protection, particularly in the service sector.

SPC’s 2024 Typical IP Cases Include AI Face-Swap Ruling

In April 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court released eight typical IP cases, highlighting judicial responses to emerging issues in AI, gaming, and biotech, including a landmark ruling on AI face-swapping copyright infringement.

China Eases Tax Refunds to Boost Inbound Tourist Spending

In 2025, China has lowered its departure tax refund threshold from 500 RMB to 200 RMB and doubled cash refund limits to 20,000 RMB while expanding eligible stores and streamlining processes, aiming to boost inbound tourism spending and promote Chinese products.

Chinese Courts Bolster Pregnant Workers' Rights Protection

In April 2025, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Supreme People's Court released typical labor dispute cases emphasizing stronger protection of pregnant employees' rights, including a case where unlawful job reassignment and salary reduction were ruled illegal.

China Revises Marriage Registration Regulation

China's revised marriage registration rules, effective May 2025, eliminate location restrictions, simplify procedures by removing hukou requirements, and align divorce processes with the Civil Code's cooling-off period.

China’s SPC Issues Foreign State Immunity Case Guidelines

In March 2025, China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued procedural guidelines for handling civil cases involving foreign state immunity, implementing the country's shift from absolute to restrictive immunity under the new Foreign State Immunity Law.