WRT the Chongqing Daily report on political vetting (政审) for students taking college-entrance exam (aka gaokao), China's education ministry has long imposed political vetting requirements for the gaokao process. At least since 2001, as far as I can tell.
According to this 2001 MOE directive, tertiary education institutions cannot enroll students who fail the political vetting (思想政治品德考核) process. See Art. 29: 高等学校不录取思想政治品德考核不合格的考生。 bit.ly/2Owl8ez
MOE wording on what the political vetting process weeds out has evolved somewhat over the years, but in general, they target students who have violated the law and received criminal penalties; exhibited poor moral character; participated in evil cults, etc.
For example, in 2001, MOE gaokao rules blocked students who oppose the Communist Party's four cardinal principles. In 2002, the rules were amended to also fail students who oppose the "reform and opening-up" policy. bit.ly/2PivlAz
In 2008, the political-vetting rules were amended to remove references to students who oppose the CCP's 4 cardinal principles and reform and opening-up policy. The revised rules target those who "oppose the basic principles set out in the constitution." bit.ly/2PfPVS1
The 2008 political-vetting criteria generally remain in place as of 2018.
（1）有反对宪法所确定的基本原则的言行或参加邪教组织，情节严重的；
（2）触犯刑法、治安管理处罚法，受到刑事处罚或治安管理处罚且情节严重、性质恶劣的。
（1）有反对宪法所确定的基本原则的言行或参加邪教组织，情节严重的；
（2）触犯刑法、治安管理处罚法，受到刑事处罚或治安管理处罚且情节严重、性质恶劣的。
As far as I can tell, on paper, what the Chongqing Daily report doesn't reveal any technical change to existing gaokao political-vetting rules. Remains to be seen whether there are changes to how the rules are implemented in practice.
Here is the Chongqing Daily report in question: bit.ly/2PlLPIk
The 2018 edition of gaokao regulations can be found here: bit.ly/2PkQiLn and bit.ly/2PjsbMK
To close this loop, the Chongqing Municipal Educational Examinations Authority has responded to the CQ Daily report, denying any change to existing political-vetting procedures for gaokao students. bit.ly/2Ovjqu1
