China has established the world's largest education system, achieving a historic leap from ensuring access to education to delivering quality education. Currently, the nation stands at a critical juncture in its transformation from an educational powerhouse to a global educational leader. This paper examines the core attributes and evaluation criteria of an educationally advanced nation, analyzes China's educational achievements and existing challenges, and proposes a strategic pathway centered on quality enhancement, innovation-driven development, equity promotion, and global collaboration. The findings suggest that building China into an educational leader requires deepening reforms, optimizing educational structures, strengthening teacher development, advancing digital transformation, and establishing a modern education system with Chinese characteristics. This transformation holds profound strategic significance for nurturing innovative talent, supporting technological self-reliance, and driving high-quality socio-economic development.