The Compulsory Education Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) was promulgated in April 2006, 1986. This is the first time that China has fixed free compulsory education in the form of law, which means that school-age "children and adolescents" must receive nine-year compulsory education. The promulgation of Compulsory Education Law marks that the development of basic education in China has entered a new stage. Although there is only 18, "the state implements nine-year compulsory education" has since become a legal obligation.