BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education said Friday that 34.29 million students graduated from the country's higher-learning institutions between 2006 and 2010.

Xu Mei, the ministry's spokeswoman, said the number is even more than that of the graduates in the 20 years prior to 2006 combined.

"During the 11th five-year plan period (2006-2010), higher education has become even more accessible to the general public. Higher-learning institutions provide a strong support of brain power and human resources to the social and economic development," Xu said.

The "Outline of China's National Plan for Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020)," which was publicized last year, says "the strategic goals to be attained by 2020 are to basically modernize education; shape a learning society; and turn China into a country rich in human resources."