Several Chinese universities are urging staff to “practice strict economy and live through tight times” as shrinking budgets increase financial pressure. Beijing Forestry University recently issued measures restricting spending on travel, meetings, training, official receptions, and overtime meals, while Anhui Jianzhu University prohibited reimbursement for tobacco, alcohol, and high-end dishes at research-related meals. Shanxi Finance and Economics Vocational College also tightened rules on official receptions, travel, meetings, and promotional materials.
The financial pressure is reflected in declining budgets at several universities. In 2025, Renmin University’s total budget revenue was RMB 9.17 billion (US$1.37 billion), down RMB 816 million (US$121 million) from the previous year, while Yunnan University and Fuzhou University saw declines of RMB 801 million and RMB 677 million, respectively. Other universities, including the University of Science and Technology of China and Minzu University of China, also reported reduced government funding. Meanwhile, Chinese social media has seen increasing reports of salary and performance-pay cuts among university faculty, including reduced research bonuses, canceled overtime-teaching subsidies, and cases in which poor performance reportedly resulted in salary deductions.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 15, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202609150331.aspx