The COVID-19 outbreak has accelerated development of internet infrastructure, public services and technology in underdeveloped areas driven by national strategies such as 'Internet plus education' strategy. Schools in more than 30 provincial-level regions across China are having online classes in virtual classrooms. Online learning platforms have allowed some people in lower-tier cities to access high-quality educational resources for the first time. Also, many universities have opened their teaching and academic resources to the public, narrowing the education gap between developed and underdeveloped regions of China.