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Are research universities simple reflections of the society that gives them life, subject to local cultural and political norms? Or are they leaders of their society, a place for cutting-edge thought and debate? This is a question that is not discussed by ministerial or academic leaders in China. Rather, it is an underlying question that is a source of tension and will likely emerge slowly and more openly as the central government continues its uneven progress toward greater economic liberty. It is also a vital question if China wishes to develop a set of comprehensive research universities that are truly among the top in the world - and not simply good producers of scientific research and patents. The national Outline for Medium and Long Term Education Reform and Development (otherwise known as the 2020 Blueprint) appears to make one more step toward supporting a select group of universities to adopt features of some of the world's best and influential universities, including offers of greater autonomy and funds for improving academic management. At the same time, the 2020 Blueprint retains the ethos of central ministerial planning and control and has been presented in an environment in which criticism of society's problems remain constrained. Globalization, including increased interaction with the university faculty and leader in the US, EU and elsewhere, is creating a consensus among China's academic leaders that increased institutional independence, including new levels of academic freedom and improved internally generated quality control, will be necessary for their universities to fully mature. Yet this will be a slow process, shaped by Chinese societal norms and the still dominant hand of the national government.
