A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China

Fanqin Meng; Ruoshi Wu; Xinjian Qu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

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A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China

Fanqin Meng, Ruoshi Wu, Xinjian Qu^*

Published in Higher Education Research (Volume 10, Issue 6)

Received: 25 November 2025 Accepted: 12 December 2025 Published: 20 December 2025

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Abstract

This study examines the implementation of China's national "Double First-Class" initiative at the provincial level by analyzing local policy documents. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative text analysis based on the classification of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented policy instruments, to explore the policy tools and strategic narratives adopted by provincial governments. The results indicate that provincial governments mainly rely on supply-oriented tools, while the use of demand-oriented tools is significantly insufficient; provinces strategically adjust discipline investments according to local socio-economic characteristics and industrial demands, resulting in regional differences. The study concludes that although provincial responses are proactive and resource-intensive, their tendency toward homogenization and supply orientation raises concerns about systemic diversity, efficiency, and the sustainability of innovation ecosystems. It is recommended to further optimize policy tools to better balance the tension between national goals and local relevance, promoting the high-quality development of local universities.

Published in	Higher Education Research (Volume 10, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
Page(s)	252-257
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

First-class Discipline, Provincial Policy, Textual Analysis, Policy Instruments, Higher Education, China

References

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[8]	Hazelkorn, E. (2015). Rankings and the reshaping of higher education: The battle for world-class excellence (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
[9]	Liu, Y., & Zhang, H. (2021). Meso-level governance in Chinese higher education: The mediating role of provincial governments. Studies in Higher Education, 46(8), 1567-1581.
[10]	Zhou, J., & Li, M. (2020). How provincial governments shape university behavior: Evidence from China's Double First-Class policy. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 42(3), 289-305.
[11]	Yang, R., & Wang, D. (2023). Regional policy differentiation and institutional adaptation: A comparative study of Chinese universities. Higher Education Policy, 36(2), 245-263.
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[17]	Shanxi Provincial Government. (2018). Action plan for discipline construction serving industrial transformation. Shanxi Higher Education, 26(3), 10–17.
[18]	Li, J., & Yang, R. (2020). The Double First-Class Initiative. Higher Education Policy., 33(4), 543–562. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-020-00188-9
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APA Style

Meng, F., Wu, R., Qu, X. (2025). A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. Higher Education Research, 10(6), 252-257. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

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ACS Style

Meng, F.; Wu, R.; Qu, X. A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. High. Educ. Res. 2025, 10(6), 252-257. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

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AMA Style

Meng F, Wu R, Qu X. A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. High Educ Res. 2025;10(6):252-257. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

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@article{10.11648/j.her.20251006.14,
  author = {Fanqin Meng and Ruoshi Wu and Xinjian Qu},
  title = {A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China},
  journal = {Higher Education Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {252-257},
  doi = {10.11648/j.her.20251006.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.her.20251006.14},
  abstract = {This study examines the implementation of China's national "Double First-Class" initiative at the provincial level by analyzing local policy documents. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative text analysis based on the classification of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented policy instruments, to explore the policy tools and strategic narratives adopted by provincial governments. The results indicate that provincial governments mainly rely on supply-oriented tools, while the use of demand-oriented tools is significantly insufficient; provinces strategically adjust discipline investments according to local socio-economic characteristics and industrial demands, resulting in regional differences. The study concludes that although provincial responses are proactive and resource-intensive, their tendency toward homogenization and supply orientation raises concerns about systemic diversity, efficiency, and the sustainability of innovation ecosystems. It is recommended to further optimize policy tools to better balance the tension between national goals and local relevance, promoting the high-quality development of local universities.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China
AU  - Fanqin Meng
AU  - Ruoshi Wu
AU  - Xinjian Qu
Y1  - 2025/12/20
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
T2  - Higher Education Research
JF  - Higher Education Research
JO  - Higher Education Research
SP  - 252
EP  - 257
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-935X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
AB  - This study examines the implementation of China's national "Double First-Class" initiative at the provincial level by analyzing local policy documents. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative text analysis based on the classification of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented policy instruments, to explore the policy tools and strategic narratives adopted by provincial governments. The results indicate that provincial governments mainly rely on supply-oriented tools, while the use of demand-oriented tools is significantly insufficient; provinces strategically adjust discipline investments according to local socio-economic characteristics and industrial demands, resulting in regional differences. The study concludes that although provincial responses are proactive and resource-intensive, their tendency toward homogenization and supply orientation raises concerns about systemic diversity, efficiency, and the sustainability of innovation ecosystems. It is recommended to further optimize policy tools to better balance the tension between national goals and local relevance, promoting the high-quality development of local universities.
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Fanqin Meng

School of Marxism, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China

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Ruoshi Wu

Department of Pathology, Nanning Hospital of Qianhai Life Insurance, Nanning, China

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Xinjian Qu

Institute of Marine Drugs, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Meng, F., Wu, R., Qu, X. (2025). A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. Higher Education Research, 10(6), 252-257. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

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ACS Style

Meng, F.; Wu, R.; Qu, X. A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. High. Educ. Res. 2025, 10(6), 252-257. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Meng F, Wu R, Qu X. A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China. High Educ Res. 2025;10(6):252-257. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.her.20251006.14,
  author = {Fanqin Meng and Ruoshi Wu and Xinjian Qu},
  title = {A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China},
  journal = {Higher Education Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {252-257},
  doi = {10.11648/j.her.20251006.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.her.20251006.14},
  abstract = {This study examines the implementation of China's national "Double First-Class" initiative at the provincial level by analyzing local policy documents. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative text analysis based on the classification of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented policy instruments, to explore the policy tools and strategic narratives adopted by provincial governments. The results indicate that provincial governments mainly rely on supply-oriented tools, while the use of demand-oriented tools is significantly insufficient; provinces strategically adjust discipline investments according to local socio-economic characteristics and industrial demands, resulting in regional differences. The study concludes that although provincial responses are proactive and resource-intensive, their tendency toward homogenization and supply orientation raises concerns about systemic diversity, efficiency, and the sustainability of innovation ecosystems. It is recommended to further optimize policy tools to better balance the tension between national goals and local relevance, promoting the high-quality development of local universities.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Textual Analysis of Provincial “First-class Discipline” Construction Policies in China
AU  - Fanqin Meng
AU  - Ruoshi Wu
AU  - Xinjian Qu
Y1  - 2025/12/20
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
T2  - Higher Education Research
JF  - Higher Education Research
JO  - Higher Education Research
SP  - 252
EP  - 257
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-935X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251006.14
AB  - This study examines the implementation of China's national "Double First-Class" initiative at the provincial level by analyzing local policy documents. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative text analysis based on the classification of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented policy instruments, to explore the policy tools and strategic narratives adopted by provincial governments. The results indicate that provincial governments mainly rely on supply-oriented tools, while the use of demand-oriented tools is significantly insufficient; provinces strategically adjust discipline investments according to local socio-economic characteristics and industrial demands, resulting in regional differences. The study concludes that although provincial responses are proactive and resource-intensive, their tendency toward homogenization and supply orientation raises concerns about systemic diversity, efficiency, and the sustainability of innovation ecosystems. It is recommended to further optimize policy tools to better balance the tension between national goals and local relevance, promoting the high-quality development of local universities.
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download