According to China's "Administrative Measures for the Establishment of State Administrative Organs", colleges and universities belong to public institutions. A public institution refers to a legal person organization established by the state, local or other organizations according to law, with the purpose of providing public welfare services, not making profits as the main purpose, operating independently according to law and being responsible for its own profits and losses. As an institution of higher education, universities' main tasks are education, teaching and scientific research, with the goal of cultivating talents and promoting academic progress, rather than making profits. So universities belong to public institutions.