China has awarded 1.8 million postgraduate degrees and 240,000 doctorates in the past 29 years since the country's reform and opening up, State Councilor Chen Zhili said.

Chen, also director of the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council, told a plenary meeting of the committee on Monday that postgraduate education had seen a rapid development, with a degree examination and authorization system being basically established in the country.

Noting that the facilities and quality of postgraduate education were greatly improving, Chen stressed efforts should be made to strengthen the building of a sound study style and improve the subsistence allowance and scholarship system for excellent postgraduates.

The State Council Academic Degree Committee makes key decisions and policies for China's university education and academic degree awarding.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)