Five topics or "realms" of access to education in China are discussed in this paper presented in the form of a panel discussion by four Chinese, one Filipino and one Mauritian graduate student. The scope of the research includes three historical periods: (1) the beginning of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1949 until the Cultural Revolution of 1966; (2) the period of the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976; and (3) the recent period of reform from 1976 until the present. Following an introductory overview of the topic, the discussants examine five separate factors which have an impact on educational access in the PRC. They include: (1) Family Planning and the number of children in each household; (2) Social Class; (3) Gender and sex discrimination; (4) Language Rights; and (4) Teachers' Rights. Each section describes the impact on educational access by various reform policies instituted by the government during the three historical periods. Special attention is given to a comparison between official government policy and actual implementation. The panelists also draw conclusions about the status of current educational reform efforts and make predictions about educational access until the year 2000. (CFR)