One answer to the magnitude of the world education crisis is the provision of very large education systems, capable of enrolling 100,000 students or more. The largest distance system is the Dianda or Chinese Radio and Television University (CRTVU) system. Dianda is best described as a network of one central open university that does not enroll students and 43 open universities or Municipal or Autonomous Region Television Universities (PRTVUs) that do. CRTVU is responsible for nationwide course and materials development; the PRTVUs have a limited role in this area. The CRTVU has a staff of 600; the typical PRTVU staff numbers 300. PRTVU students receive 3 years of study leave on full pay. The Chinese system and its constituent universities fall clearly within Group 2 (open or distance teaching universities) of Keegan's (1982) topology of distance systems, but they have strong affinities with Group 4 institutions (the consultation system). (This report includes information on the 44 Dianda institutions, a list of 37 references, map of China, figures depicting administrative level and statistics, and Keegan's typology of distance learning systems). (YLB)