The effectiveness of the higher education quality assessment system is essentially a matter of policy evaluation. On the macro level, such a system refers to external quality assessment, which includes government evaluation, quality certification, and university rankings. Depending on the degree of government intervention, the external quality assurance system can take the form of either accreditation or certification. China's first undergraduate teaching evaluation was essentially a government-led accountability system for higher education institutions, known as administrative accountability. The first round of evaluation was basically recognized and considered moderately effective, but left great room for improvement. To improve the quality assessment system for higher education in China, a social accountability system must be established.