Li Ruifang, a National People's Congress deputy and educator from Yunnan's border region, is pioneering a dual approach to modernizing frontier education while preserving cultural heritage. As a member of the Wa ethnic group, she has led a children's choir that revitalizes traditional songs through school programs since her 2023 election.
This year, Li is advocating for artificial intelligence integration in remote classrooms during the ongoing 14th NPC session. Her proposal focuses on deploying smart education platforms and AI-assisted learning tools to bridge technological gaps for border community students.
"We must honor our roots while embracing tomorrow's tools," Li told CGTN during the legislative meeting. Her initiative aligns with China's rural revitalization strategy, particularly in minority regions where nearly 40% of schools still lack advanced digital infrastructure.
The proposal has gained traction among tech firms and educational policymakers, with pilot programs expected to launch in six Yunnan border counties by late 2026. Experts suggest this could become a model for similar regions across Asia facing educational modernization challenges.
