A Historical Examination on China’s Physical Education and Health Curriculum Reform

The examination of the reference in physical education curriculum reform as a measure of evaluating internationalization and localization of reform must be placed within a broad historical perspective. This study argues that the reference in China's physical education curriculum reform has undergone historical stages, including the stage of emulating the USSR model, the stage based on physical education ideology, the stage of reference to Western experience, and the stage centering on establishing Chinese characteristics. While demonstrating comprehensive exploration of international references, endogenous evolution of the era, and phased adjustments to social needs, there are also tendencies towards “sudden change-ism”, “importism”, and “bookishness”. In response, the study proposes that the reference in China's physical education curriculum reform urgently needs to reshape the localized concept of “applying Chinese learning as the essence and Western learning for practical use” in terms of understanding; to implement a progressive approach of “perseverance leads to success” in methodology; and to embody a Chinese-style solution of “harmony in diversity, and shared beauty” in content.