Distance education infrastructure escalated gradually
E-learning applications were jointly supported by the China Education and Research Network (CERNET) and the other three backbone networks in China—China Public Computer Interconnected Network, China Science and Technology Network, and China Golden Bridge Information Network. During the period 1979–85, to provide support to radio- and TV-based education carried out by China Central Radio and TV University (CCRTVU), the Chinese government resorted to the national television (China Central Television) for television courses broadcasting. In 1985, China Education Television was launched, and since then, the television courses of CCRTVU have been transferred, gradually at first and then completely, to China Educational Television via satellite broadcast. In 2000, the China Education Satellite Television Network achieved satellite television digitalisation, and then started to serve e-learning employing digital satellite resources together with other satellite communication companies in China; thus, initially forming a digital information transmission network system for e-learning with interactive functions in the ‘unity of heaven and earth’. (Ding, 2005)
Vigorous demand for higher education, education informationisation and construction of a learning-oriented society has created a favourable social and technical environment, and provided a historic opportunity for the development of e-learning.