In the context of China’s contemporary universal phase of higher education, implementing elite education should not only correct previous assumptions, it should also explore the rationality and feasibility of such implementation from the perspectives of logical foundation and practical pathways. The author expounds on four such perspectives: Firstly, a legal perspective in which equitable allocation of educational opportunities based on individual capabilities mitigates instances of “reverse discrimination”. Secondly, a policy perspective in which elite education is crucial for cultivating the high-quality, cutting-edge talents vital to advancing national development strategies. Thirdly, an equity perspective in which elite education aligns with principles of individualized and differentiated instruction, advocating for equitable access tailored to students’ abilities. Lastly, an efficiency perspective in which elite education promotes a stratified and specialized evolution of Chinese higher education, thereby enhancing overall systemic performance. Additionally, the author proposes practical pathways to achieving this objective, which encompasses establishing an elite education philosophy and cultivation system imbued with contemporary relevance, drawing insights from both domestic and international elite education practices, and engaging in innovative explorations.