Problems, Challenges, and Suggestions of Continuing Engineering Education in China

China is facing challenges of economic transition and modernization, which sees the urgent need to develop Continuing Engineering Education (CEE) for sustainable development in economic and social areas. The article first discusses the history and characteristics of CEE in China. By analyzing interview resources and statistic data, the author concludes five factors for the development of CEE in China, including policies, education demands, educational institutions, supply channels, and operating mechanism. Moreover, the article analyzes relationships among the five factors and current problems in Chinese CEE development, and offers solutions such as using MOOC to collect and share high quality CEE resources, constructing nationwide e-learning public service system, and supporting “Open Universities” for continuing educations etc. Last but not least, the article discusses the possible cooperation among policies, CEE customers, institutions, and management, and explores “demand-oriented” funding plan and market-oriented mechanism for the further development of CEE in China. The project is supported by Chinese national ministry of education. Some suggestions mentioned in the article have already been put into practice and received good results.