Network governance has become a widely recognized and increasingly utilized instrument for leading and managing public service delivery, especially in the education sphere. However, beyond mainstream Western contexts, network governance in education is under-researched. With reference to network governance theories, this study explored the evolution of education governance in China from 1985 to 2020. Based on a thorough analysis of policy documents and scholarly research, this article argues that the Chinese central state has changed its governance mode from centralization to network governance by incorporating peripheral actors, including local governments, schools, and societal forces, as active agents in governing education. However, despite these peripheral actors' increasing autonomy and participation, the central state still retains the ultimate power and authority over education governance in China. This study aimed to deepen the theoretical and practical understanding of China's governance over education while also contributing to mapping the global landscape of network governance.