Distance learning, online degree courses, and adult education have been popular in China for some time. This has been due to a number of factors, such as the expansive and rural geography of the country, the high competition for fewer enrolment places, and recent government-stimulated incentives to ensure compulsory learning for all, e.g. the National Project of Compulsory Education in Impoverished Areas (established in 1995).

In regards to e-Learning and its involvement with pre/primary/middle school education, the latest report doesn’t reflect an outright consolidation of the country’s vast school system – which is something that makes it quite different to others. Those who offer online education services to pre-schoolers are private individuals and companies, whilst the most traditional primary and middle schools are said to be employing e-Learning techniques and offering distance classes. Primary and middle school teaching market scale has increased by 18.5 percent between 2006 and 2007.

For higher education and older learners, the report shows a growth and diversification of online education but an unimpressive continuation of doubts amongst members of the public as to the worth of diplomas from online institutions. Despite this, there is healthy enthusiasm for online education for vocation certification and an increased demand for customizable services. Additionally corporate e-learning is becoming more integrated with business hoping to improve services – especially over the last year. As a result, projections suggest that corporate e-learning is set to grow 40 percent year by year until 2011.

China is an interesting country to discuss when it comes to distance education – due to the rural country and uniquely provincial governance of education, as well as its huge population. Consequently, the country has pioneered certain aspects of education by use of online courses and media. This has not only included a Central Radio and TV University, but also distance institutions that specifically cater for niche markets such as adult farmers and workers – it will be intriguing to see how technological advancements and increased accessibility for education over the next few years.

The thriving economy of China is dictated by the People’s Republic of China. This has been the dominate force driving the economy since 1978. Currently China’ economy ranks it #4 in the world so there is no doubt the regulations of the People’s Republic of China are working well for the people of China. However, the biggest criticized of the Chinese economy is that it appears the rich people keep on getting richer and the poor people never escape from poverty.

To help with the growing gap in the different social classes China underwent a political balancing act to help rectify the situation. This process was introduced in the 1990′s. The government worked hard to instill market reform. China really seemed to do well with the changed until the energy crisis that occurred in the late 1990′s. One issue that many countries have to contend with is unemployment. China appears to have the opposite problem. Since 2005 they have had a shortage of workers in the labor force to keep up with the continuous growth.

Skilled workers are needed for the corporations and technology while unskilled laborers are needed for tending to the farms. China is the 3rd worldwide in the amount of production annually in their factories. Agriculture is a huge part of the Chinese economy with more than 300 million people working in that area. The foods grown in China are highly exported. It is estimated that their food exports feed up to 20% of the world’s population.

The growth of China has some of the leaders in the country worried though. They are continually increasing the amount of natural resources they consume on an annual basis. The pollution and other environmental problems that come from the high number of factories are a concern. China’s economy is certainly growing, but it has a long ways to go, which means there are lots of opportunities available.