In 2006, China's leadership unveiled the "National Medium- and Long-Term Plan for the Development of Science and Technology, " a blueprint for turning China into a tech powerhouse by 2020.

WSJ: China's 'State Capitalism' Sparks a Global Backlash

She also said the plan might have the unintended consequence of reducing the number of students studying science, technology, engineering and maths - the so-called STEM subjects - because students tend to get higher grades in the arts and humanities.

BBC: Top students expansion plan 'could hit social mobility'