Gaokao begins in China with over 13.3 million students participating

The Chinese national college entrance exam, also known as the gaokao, has begun.

A total of 13.35 million students are expected to sit this year's exam, according to the Ministry of Education.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has emphasized the need to uphold fairness and ensure safety in the national examination.

The examination is crucial for national development and the future of families, said Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during an inspection of a middle school in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province.

He urged authorities to safeguard fairness as the "lifeline" of examination and admission reforms and gaokao organization. He also stressed the importance of rigorous test paper security, anti-cheating measures and compassionate support for students.

When high-tech vigilance meets human care

On May 28, China's Ministry of Education announced strengthened security measures for the 2025 gaokao, emphasizing technological safeguards.

Upgrades include stricter entry checks, enhanced screening for devices like phones and smartwatches, radio signal blocking at all exam sites and the expanded use of intelligent surveillance and inspection systems to strengthen the exam security network.

In many places, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is introduced for the purpose of safety and fairness. 

In Benxi City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, every gaokao exam room is monitored by a real-time intelligent surveillance system that automatically flags irregular behavior – from whispers and frequent glances between students to inattentive proctors – to reinforce discipline and fairness.

AI-powered monitoring systems have also been adopted in other provinces, including Jiangxi, Hubei and Guangdong, enabling real-time surveillance, behavior analysis and early alerts. 

Beyond technological safeguards, many regions have taken additional steps to create a calm and supportive exam environment for candidates. These include postponing performances, temporarily closing libraries, cultural centers, museums and sports venues, and adjusting government and business office hours.

In east China's Anhui Province, the Anhui Huangmei Opera Theatre has suspended all performances from June 5 to 9 to minimize noise near exam venues. Similarly, cultural institutions in Jiangsu, Fujian and Henan have postponed street shows, traditional lion dances and puppet performances to ensure a quiet atmosphere for students.

Multiple cities have implemented tailored measures such as delaying office start hours and encouraging carpooling or public transit. Traffic police have set up priority lanes and are ready to escort students caught in traffic, ensuring every student reaches their exam site on time. 

In Benxi, students can even book taxis marked with "gaokao free ride" stickers by phone, or by hailing them on the street and showing their exam admission pass.

(With input from Xinhua)