Between December 2-5, 2011, the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the China Association for Educational Technology (CAET) and National Education Informationization Outlook Forum was held in Guangzhou. Yang Zhijian, chairman of the CAET and president of the Open University of China (OUC), attended the meeting and delivered a work report on behalf of the CAET, in which he reviewed the 20-year history of the association, summarized its achievements and experiences and forecasted future development.

Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the CAET, director of the CAET Higher Distance Education Committee and vice president of the OUC, also attended the meeting together with 60 other representatives of the association.

At the forum, Zhang Shaogang delivered a keynote speech entitled "Thoughts on Modern and Distance Education and the Open University of China". Yang Zongkai from Central China Normal University presented an opening report on "Development Plan for Education Informationization in the Next Decade". He Kekang from Beijing Normal University, Li Kedong from South China Normal University, Zhu Zhiting from East China Normal University and Sang Xinmin from Nanjing University gave speeches on the topics of "The Key to Success in Education Informationization", "Integration and Innovation in the Informationization of Higher Education", "Research Outlook for Educational Technology" and "Strategic Thinking for the New Phase of Education Informationization", respectively. Kanji AKAHORI from Tokyo Institute of Technology also introduced the latest developments and issues in education informationization in Japan.

During the event, OUC Professor Ren Weimin was granted the "China Educational Technology Outstanding Contribution Award", and Jin Lixia from Jiangsu Radio and TV University and 17 other persons were awarded the title of "Advanced Professional". The association also recognized nine institutions as "Advanced Institutions". The CAET Higher Distance Education Committee also held a symposium for distance education organizations to discuss their development and future working plans.

Chen Shougang, the OUC