Several of China's top universities have announced plans to expand their undergraduate enrolment to prioritise what they called "national strategic needs" and develop talent in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI).

中国多所顶尖高校宣布计划扩大本科招生规模，优先满足其所谓的“国家战略需求”， 并在人工智能等领域培养人才。

The announcements come after Chinese universities launched artificial intelligence courses in February based on AI startup DeepSeek which has garnered widespread attention. Its creation of AI models comparable to the most advanced in the United States, but built at a fraction of the cost, has been described as a "Sputnik moment" for China.

此消息宣布之前，中国高校已于2月基于备受瞩目的AI初创公司DeepSeek开设人工智能课程。 DeepSeek研发的AI模型可与美国最先进的模型相媲美，但成本仅为其一小部分， 这被誉为中国的“斯普特尼克时刻”。

Analysts say that DeepSeek's success, almost entirely staffed by researchers from elite domestic universities, highlights how Beijing's investment in building a large homegrown STEM talent pool and recent U.S. restrictions on Chinese student visas have allowed China to catch up on AI.

分析人士表示，DeepSeek的成功几乎完全得益于国内精英大学研究人员的努力， 这凸显出北京在培养本土STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）人才库方面的大力投资， 以及近期美国对中国学生签证的限制，使中国在AI领域得以迎头赶上。

Peking University said on Saturday that it would add 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to focus on areas of "national strategic importance", fundamental disciplines and "emerging frontier fields".

北京大学周六表示，2025年将新增150个本科名额，重点聚焦“国家战略重要”领域、 基础学科和“新兴前沿领域”。

They would mainly be in information science and technology, engineering and clinical medicine.

这些名额主要集中在信息科学与技术、工程和临床医学专业。

Renmin University said on Saturday that it would add more than 100 places in areas such as AI to improve innovation.

中国人民大学周六表示，将在人工智能等领域新增100多个名额，以提升创新能力。

The expansion is "closely linked" to the plan to make China a "powerful education country" and focus on growing talent in the digital era, it said.

该校表示，此次扩招与使中国成为“教育强国”的计划“紧密相关”，并侧重于数字时代的人才培养。

Shanghai Jiao Tong University will add 150 spots focusing on "cutting-edge technologies" and emerging industries "urgently needed", in AI, integrated circuits, biomedicine, healthcare and new energy.

上海交通大学将新增150个名额，重点聚焦“前沿技术”和“急需”的新兴产业，包括人工智能、 集成电路、生物医药、医疗保健和新能源。

China in January issued its first national action plan to build a "strong education nation" by 2035, to help coordinate its education development, improve efficiencies in innovation and build a "strong country".

今年1月，中国发布了首份国家行动计划，目标是到2035年建成“教育强国”，以助力协调教育发展、 提高创新效率和建设“强大国家”。

In December education authorities said they would begin AI education in primary and secondary schools to cultivate creativity, scientific interest and digital skills among students.

去年12月，教育部门表示，将在中小学开展人工智能教育，培养学生的创造力、 科学兴趣和数字技能。