Abstract：Focusing on three aspects among elements, capabilities and functions, this research analyzes the development level and characteristics of regional higher education in 31 provinces of China from 2003 to 2020. Four conclusions on higher education are attained. First, the overall development level shows an upward trend, which can be divided into ladder rise, fluctuating rise, and gentle rise. Second, in terms of time dimension, four major regions shows an overall upward trend, forming a global and leapfrog development with a widened gap and divergent effect and presenting a temporal dynamic. Third, in terms of spatial dimension, the development level can be divided into excellent, medium, and starting. Each category corresponds to a relatively stable province. The clustering of higher education at the provincial level in China is not significant, showing spatial heterogeneity. Fourth, the characteristics of regional higher education in China presents a "Flying Geese Pattern" as a result of interweaving and configuration of stages and internal structural hierarchy. Corresponding to these conclusions, regional higher education should adhere to differentiation strategy, clustering direction and diversified, in order to better promote the early realization of Chinesestyle modernization.
2023, Vol. 17 
