Millions of Chinese students sit for gruelling 'gaokao'
Millions of Chinese students have begun the 'gaokao,' a high-stakes national university entrance exam that serves as the primary determinant for higher education admission. Authorities have implemented strict security measures to prevent cheating during the multi-day testing period.
Why it matters
The gaokao is a critical event in China that shapes the future of millions of young people and reflects the country's intense focus on academic achievement.
Hundreds of young Chinese students clutching pens and their IDs shuffled into a testing centre in blue-skied Beijing on Sunday (June 7, 2026), swarmed by parents, joining millions sitting for the national high-stakes university entrance exam.
The report provides factual coverage of a major national event without editorializing.
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