Chinese Netizens Express Strong Criticism: Universities Are Living Frugally, With the Sentiment That 'students Suffer, Not Officials'

Numerous universities across China have claimed they are facing financial strain and need to 'live frugally'. (Screenshot from X platform)

[People News] Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of the Communist Party of China on September 15 indicates that investment in China continues to decline, with real estate investment from January to August dropping nearly 20% year-on-year. The year-on-year growth of total retail sales of consumer goods in August was lower than the previous month and also fell short of expectations. Additionally, credit expansion in August was significantly below expectations, and the Communist Party's stimulus measures have not been able to counteract the weakening demand from businesses and households.

Since the collapse of the real estate bubble in China in 2021, revenue from land transfer fees—which previously accounted for about 40% of local government revenue—has seen a substantial decline. Statistics from the Ministry of Finance of the Communist Party of China reveal that in the first half of this year, national land transfer revenue was only 977.8 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year decrease of 31.5%, which has led to heightened fiscal and debt pressures.

As fiscal revenue has sharply decreased, debt levels have continued to rise. Recently, Lan Fo'an, the Minister of Finance of the Communist Party of China, disclosed that by the end of 2024, the total government debt is expected to approach one hundred trillion yuan, with local government statutory debt amounting to 47.5 trillion yuan.

In this situation, many hospitals and universities that previously depended on financial support have experienced annual budget cuts, resulting in increased fiscal pressure.

According to reports from mainland media on September 15, several top universities in mainland China, including Tsinghua University (Qīnghuá Dàxué), Peking University (Běijīng Dàxué), and Zhejiang University (Zhèjiāng Dàxué), which have previously enjoyed ample resources, have recently issued notices mandating that the entire institution 'live frugally' by cutting financial budgets and streamlining expenses. This top-down approach to budget tightening has permeated from the administrative level into teaching and students' daily lives, sparking widespread anxiety and discussion.

Cuts to Laboratory and Research Funding

Many netizens have pointed out that the recent reduction in research funding has forced many laboratories to delay the updating and maintenance of their equipment. For instance, the budget for various consumables, such as chemical reagents and biological samples, has been slashed by half, and the operating hours of energy-intensive large experimental equipment have been restricted.

A graduate student in a science and engineering program expressed frustration, stating that the laboratory must conserve even basic supplies, which has severely delayed project timelines. 'We can't even afford reagents, can't publish papers, and graduating means unemployment; this is the biggest disaster.'

Some netizens have noted that their universities have even eliminated reimbursements for article processing charges (APC) for paper publications. The costs for publishing in international Open Access journals, previously covered by the school, have been significantly restricted or completely halted, directly impacting researchers' output.

To reduce personnel costs, many universities have cut foreign faculty, guest lectures from industry experts, and elective courses, resulting in larger class sizes (shifting from small classes to 'large general courses').

Teaching components that require travel subsidies, such as field investigations, corporate internships, and inter-school exchanges, have been significantly reduced, replaced by 'online simulations' or classroom presentations.

'Students suffer, but officials do not.'

Libraries and teaching buildings are now limiting air conditioning hours or delaying heating, while some schools have even restricted power supply and hot water availability in dormitory areas, which directly impacts the students' learning environment.

At the same time, scholarships and subsidies are being tightened: the eligibility criteria for graduate stipends (research and teaching assistant fees) have been raised, and various living and transportation subsidies are being gradually eliminated.

Students are particularly outraged that budget cuts often target teaching and student welfare first, rather than administrative expenses. 'The library doesn't turn on the air conditioning, and the lab can't afford reagents, yet the offices of school leaders and their receptions remain unaffected.' They refer to this situation as 'prestigious university students becoming 'energy-saving guinea pigs,' and 'why should only students bear the burden while leaders and administration remain untouched?'

Students from Tsinghua (Qinghua) and Zhejiang (Zheda) universities have shared notices that contradict the rhetoric: 'Every day they proclaim the goal of building a 'world-class university,' but now even turning on the air conditioning in the library has to be calculated. Is this really the world-class teaching environment they promised?'

Netizens have criticized the situation: Initially, the expansion of university enrollment and the frenzied construction of new campuses inflated financial burdens. Now, with the economic downturn and local governments lacking funds, universities can only shift the costs onto the most vulnerable students.

Many netizens mock the situation: 'In the news, the great nation is rising, and scientific breakthroughs are happening; in reality, students even have to pay out of pocket to print a paper.'

'While the statistics bureau reports positive data, top universities are struggling to make ends meet.'

'When even the top-tier institutions like Tsinghua (Qinghua), Peking (Beijing), Zhejiang (Zheda), and Fudan (Fudao) have to live frugally, it indicates that local finances are not just 'insufficient,' but have 'completely run dry.'
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