In recent years, a credit recognition system has been developing in Chinese higher education institutions. Much research has been done on this development, but it has been concentrated on system building, barriers/issues and international practices. The relationship between credit recognition system reforms and democratisation of higher education has attracted little attention. This article will provide insight for understanding the ongoing development of credit recognition in Chinese institutions, in the perspective of democratisation. It outlines the major institutional implications of credit recognition system development and illustrates what have been effected in Chinese high education institutions in terms of democratisation. The author suggests that though democratisation is not pursued as an official policy, it is going on unnoticed, hand in hand with reforms to recognise credit for study in Chinese higher education.