BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The gross enrollment rate of China's higher education hit 57.8 percent in 2021, compared with 30 percent in 2012, said the Ministry of Education on Tuesday.

Over 44.3 million students are studying at higher education institutions across the country, the ministry told a press conference, adding that China now has the world's largest higher education system.

A total of 240 million people in China have received higher education so far, according to the ministry.

The press conference highlighted the achievements of China's higher education reform and development since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in 2012.