Distance Learning in China has evolved through three generations: (1) Correspondence-based education, bringing up a big team of talents for China; (2) Broadcast/TV-based education since 1980's, an educational program known worldwide; (3) Advanced Distance Learning based on information and Internet technologies evolved since 1990's.

At the end of 1994, sponsored by the former Education Commission of PRC, Tsinghua and other 9 universities in China completed the China Education and Research Network (CERNET) Pilot Project, the first TCP/IP-based public computer network in China.

1996, Wang Dazhong, President of Tsinghua University, took the lead in advocating Distance Learning. 1997, Hunan University, through cooperating with Hunan Telecom, established China's first on-line university. 1998, Tsinghua University launched the on-line master programs.

September 1998, Ministry of Education officially entitled Tsinghua University, Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications, Zhejiang University and Hunan University as the first batch of educational institutions pioneering Distance Learning.

1999, Ministry of Education promulgated the Comments on Developing Advanced Distance Learning in China, which expatiates the guidelines, aims and tasks of Distance Learning in China. As it reads, the guideline for Distance Learning development is "Overall planning, demand driving, expanding deregulation and improving quality".

August 1999, Beijing University and the Central Broadcast and TV University added to the pioneer list for Distance Learning.

September 1999, the "CERNET High-speed Backbone Project" approved, which, as planned, will be completed by the end of December 2000.

2000, a year of leaping progress of Distance Learning in China.

July, Ministry of Education released the Provisional Administration Methods for Educational Website and On-line Schools, exhibiting the jurisdiction of the Ministry over educational websites and Internet-based schools. Soon later, the Ministry granted the Distance Learning licenses to Tsinghua and another 14 universities, and expanded the pioneer list to include 31 universities and colleges. Then the Ministry promulgated the Several Comments on Supporting Some Universities and Colleges to Set up Internet Education Schools and Pioneer Distance Learning. In the light the comments, the 31 universities and colleges enjoy substantial autonomy in their Distance Learning initiatives--they may set the admission gateway and determine the admission quota; they may offer programs outside the subject catalogue; they may award degree certificates statutorily recognized.

July 31, the 31 pioneers assembled a consortium called "Coordination Team for Advanced Distance Learning in Higher Education", aiming at enhancing inter-pioneer communication and cooperation and facilitating exploitation and sharing of educational resources. September and October, some pioneers kicked off their on-line campus programs.

October 31, China Advanced Distance Learning Satellite Broadband Multimedia Transmission Platform got into operation, allowing simultaneous transmission of decades of video and multimedia channels at different rates. Moreover, the Internet access service provisioned on the platform enables high-speed interconnection with CERNET, forming a satellite-land consolidated bi-directional education network. Operation of this platform thoroughly changes the situation of one-way transmission over satellite TV network in China.

According to the latest statistics made by the Ministry of Education, up to present, the 31 pioneers have offered seats to nearly 190,000 registrants, most of whom are destined to degree programs.

At the same time, a tide of educational websites has been witnessed--many global players have been involved into remote education in China and set up their own Internet education platforms.