International educator representatives have gathered in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, for an exchange and cooperation event focusing on transforming teachers' roles and enhancing abilities in the intelligent era.
The meeting was a parallel session of the 2025 World Digital Education Conference, themed "Education Development and Transformation: The Era of Intelligence," which kicked off in Wuhan on Wednesday.
At the session, China's Ministry of Education released a report on primary and secondary school teachers, indicating that the digital literacy development index for teachers in 2024 registered a 5.53 percent increase from 2023.
"Technology is continuously being integrated into our educational settings. We need to engage in lifelong learning to master increasingly advanced technologies that serve talent cultivation and support teachers' professional development," said Liu Sannyuya, vice president of Central China Normal University. Participants widely acknowledged during their speeches and discussions that digital education is not merely about applying technology but represents a systemic transformation.
As the cornerstone of this transformation, teachers are at the heart of global efforts to redefine educational models in the digital age.
"China is really developing technologies which support AI and which support technology in the classrooms, and these technologies are extremely impressive. And honestly, I think the rest of the world will have a great deal to learn from the Chinese experience in the Chinese development of these technologies," said Jacques Fremont, President of the University of Ottawa.
According to the Ministry of Education, China is actively building an ecosystem for teacher development that integrates immersive daily practice, project-based empowerment of abilities, and platform-based support.
"China has always regarded teacher development as the foundation of digital education. We have implemented a national program to enhance teachers' information technology application capabilities, offering training to teachers for more than 23 million times over the past decade. Going forward, we will carry out a new digital empowerment initiative to provide a clear path for developing the teaching workforce in the intelligent era," said Han Jinhong, deputy director-general of the Department of Teacher Education under the Ministry.
International participants explore raising digital literacy of teachers during World Digital Education Conference
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
