Premier passes joint venture rules

New rules concerning foreign investment in schools will be introduced on September 1, Xinhua reported. The rules were signed into law in March by Zhu Rongji, in one of his last acts as premier.

China allowed majority foreign-owned joint venture schools immediately after it entered the World Trade Organisation. Under the new rules, joint venture schools are regarded as being part of the mainland's education system but they are not allowed to offer 'compulsory' education, which includes primary and middle schools.