China's phased free preschool education policy will save household spending by about 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in this autumn semester alone, Vice Minister of Finance Guo Tingting said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
China announced the phased exemption of care and education fees for children in their final year of kindergartens on Tuesday, as part of broader efforts to reduce the financial burden of education and enhance public education services.
The policy will cover all children in their final year of kindergartens nationwide, benefiting around 12 million people this autumn semester, Guo said.
"With the fee exemption in place, household education expenses will see a significant reduction. For this autumn semester alone, national fiscal expenditure will increase by about 20 billion yuan, while household spending on education will be reduced by 20 billion yuan accordingly. Calculated for a full academic year next year, the estimated reduction in household spending will reach about 40 billion yuan," said the vice minister.
The exempted fees will be covered jointly by central and local governments, and the central government will bear the lion's share, Guo said, adding that policy preferences will be given to central and western regions.
The Ministry of Education will urge local governments to expedite implementation after finalizing specific implementation plans.
"Local governments will complete preparatory work by the end of August, ensuring children in their final year of kindergartens can benefit from this policy when the autumn semester begins," said Liu Yuguang, director of the Department of Finance under the Ministry of Education.
Taking into consideration of the national conditions, China will adhere to the principle of doing everything within its capacity, and exempt fees for preschool education starting with the final kindergarten year, to ensure policy sustainability, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Policies and measures will be further improved, so that more children can benefit from the policy, said the ministry.
China's free preschool education to save families 20 bln yuan this autumn
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
