The Law on the Promotion of Private Schools of China was promulgated in 2002, and amended in 2013, 2016 and 2018 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on December 29, 2018.

There are 37 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.This law shall be applicable to activities conducted by public organizations or individuals, other than State organs, to establish and run schools and other institutions of education with non-governmental financial funds, which are geared to the need of society.(Article 2)

2.The private schools belong to public welfare undertakings.(Article 3)

3.Those private schools shall subject to the examination and approval of the governments. The examination and approval authority shall issue a license for establishment of a school to the private school for the official establishment of which it gives approval.(Article 12 and 18)

4.The sponsors of privately-run schools may establish non-profit or for-profit private schools at their own discretion. However, they shall not establish for-profit private schools providing compulsory education.(Article 19)

5.The sponsor of a non-profit private school shall not gain proceeds from school running, and the cash surplus of the school shall be used for school running. The sponsor of a for-profit private school may gain proceeds from school running.(Article 19)

6.The measures governing the jointly-run schools within China by overseas institution or individual shall be separately formulated by the State Council.(Article 66)