Education and AI: China launches new initiative with SCO members

ALDAR/

As part of its efforts to expand educational ties with the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), China is placing greater emphasis on a new centre dedicated to basic education in Beijing. The centre is designed as a platform for exchanging expertise and advancing educational practices, with a growing focus on the use of artificial intelligence in education.

China announced on Thursday, September 10, the establishment of the China-SCO Basic Education Cooperation Centre, located in Beijing’s Chaoyang District. Its development will involve education officials from SCO member states, alongside Chinese institutions specialising in basic education.

The centre is expected to strengthen practical cooperation in education, science and technology, and skills development by making use of digital solutions and AI-based applications. It will also support youth exchange programmes, teacher training and the sharing of experiences in developing basic education.

The initiative reflects China’s progress in the digitalisation of education. According to the Global Digital Education Development Index report, developed by the Chinese Academy of Education Sciences, China rose from 24th place globally in 2023 to sixth place in 2025.

It is worth noting that China’s national smart education platform offers more than 130,000 high-quality educational resources for primary and secondary schools, in addition to 12,500 vocational education courses and 145,000 higher education courses. The platform has attracted more than 178 million users, while its services are now available in more than 200 countries and regions, according to data from China’s Ministry of Education.