A top university academic has warned that declining numbers of Chinese students choosing history as an exam subject in the Gaokao, China’s national college entrance examination, could increase public susceptibility to historical misinformation. This trend emerges as Beijing actively works to combat “historical nihilism” – interpretations challenging the official state history – and outright false narratives. Concerns are rising that a weaker grasp of history will leave citizens vulnerable to distortions, including fringe theories like the denial of Ancient Greece’s existence. The academic suggests diminished history education may hinder the public’s ability to critically assess historical claims. The move coincides with increased government efforts to control and promote a specific national historical narrative. Experts fear this combination could lead to a less informed and potentially more easily manipulated populace regarding its past.