Abstract
Ever since the nation's economic resurgence in 1978, continuous efforts have been made from the Chinese government on higher education reforms to improve the quality of human resources for the country's sustainable development. The dilemma between the increasingly diminished financial support from the central government and the intensified public demand for more and better services necessitate innovative means to fit the national higher education provision to the changing environment. The international context of globalisation and new public governance conceptions of Economy, Efficiency, and Effectiveness have even speeded up the process. Breaking away from the early years hierarchy where educational provision and development was' entirely under the control of the central government, current reform and attempts are inspiring a sweeping practice of diversification and decentralisation in educational service provisions, particularly in higher education. From the multi-funding strategy to the market-oriented service reconstruction, higher education reforms in China have been tumult and dynamic. This research examines how the flourishing trend of globalisation and concept of new public management has been affecting China's higher educational development. Grounded in document discussion and analysis, this study aims to provide a fair picture of strengths and weaknesses of China's post-1978 higher education reconstruction and readjustment in terms of the history, the socio-economic background, as well as the development and implementations of the major policy and reforms. Research and analysis focuses on three areas: the changing relationships between universities and the State, the multiplied financing strategies, and the diversified approaches in instructional program designs. Particular attention is given to what has been involved in and motivated the marketisation process in the context of China's unique social-economic culture.