All universities in China are required to establish a press spokesperson system, the Ministry of Education announced in a circular on Monday.

The circular stipulates all universities across China should appoint full-time staff to attend news releases, public opinion supervision and new media operations related to university affairs.

Staff and contact information for the news office should be disclosed to the public, the circular said.

University leadership must also run opinion polls among university faculty and students before issuing major policies, it added.

The news office will also be entrusted with carrying out regular media training to improve university leaders' media literacy, the circular said.

University leadership are responsible for the authenticity of university news, and should publish information in a timely manner in case of an emergency, the circular said.

The circular also calls for strengthened publicity of top university pupils, including more information on excellent students and teachers, and invite more students to take part in reporting on campus life.