China's adult institutions of higher education have launched comprehensive reforms in order to meet the increasing demands for professional training. As in many other countries, reforms in the educational system in China have been driven by economic and political changes, and these changes have been determined largely by the needs of the market. In contrast to the common assumption that externally influenced reforms are often unwillingly accepted by the recipient nation, adult institutions of higher education in China have proactively and positively embarked on the reform without significant external imposition of policy from international organisations. However, global trends of reform in higher education have also influenced the recent restructuring and development of adult higher education in China. (Contains 3 tables.)