CHINA

Beijing Slaps Record Fine on Illegal Tutoring Firm

Published: Jan. 21, 2026 10:20 a.m. GMT+8

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Regulators in the Chinese capital have imposed a record fine on a private tutoring company, signaling that the government’s multiyear campaign to crush the for-profit after-school education sector remains active and aggressive.

The market supervision administration of Beijing’s Haidian district — a university hub known for its intense academic competition — levied a fine of 67.28 million yuan ($9.66 million) against Beijing Hanxiu Bowen Culture Consulting Co. Ltd.

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Beijing fined Hanxiu Bowen Culture Consulting 67.28 million yuan ($9.66 million), the largest for unlicensed tutoring since China’s Double Reduction policy in 2021.
The company operated illegal classes for elementary and middle school students, collecting 15.83 million yuan ($2.27 million) in fees between Oct 2023 and July 2025.
Authorities imposed a fivefold multiplier for repeat violations, reflecting intensified enforcement against for-profit education services.

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Who’s Who

Beijing Hanxiu Bowen Culture Consulting Co. Ltd.: Beijing Hanxiu Bowen Culture Consulting Co. Ltd. is a private tutoring company that received a record 67.28 million yuan ($9.66 million) fine from Beijing regulators. The company operated offline training for elementary and middle school students without the required permit. It was established in 2023 and had 18 insured employees in 2024. Despite being caught operating illegally, it failed to rectify the situation, leading to the substantial penalty.

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What Happened When

2021：: Beijing introduced its sweeping Double Reduction policy, cutting back on homework and private tutoring.

The first eight months of 2021：: Total fines for the sector amounted to 15.35 million yuan ($2.2 million), with individual caps often at 2.5 million yuan ($360,000).

2023：: Hanxiu Bowen was established with a registered address in Haidian’s Pacific International Building.

2024：: Hanxiu Bowen had 18 socially insured employees.

Between October 2023 and July 2025：: Hanxiu Bowen collected tuition fees totaling 15.83 million yuan ($2.27 million) from elementary and middle school students.

July 15, 2025：: Regulators first caught Hanxiu Bowen operating illegally.

July 23, 2025：: The Haidian District Education Commission flagged Hanxiu Bowen again for continuing unlicensed operations.

August 2025：: A formal investigation against Hanxiu Bowen was launched.

As of the latest penalty (date not specified, but after July 2025)：: Beijing Hanxiu Bowen Culture Consulting Co. Ltd. was fined 67.28 million yuan ($9.66 million), the largest public financial punishment since 2021 for unlicensed teaching.

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