Progress achieved through the “Poverty Alleviation through Language Training” (PALT) project was exhibited in Beijing in the form of a series of launches, including a book – A Study on Poverty Alleviation through Language Training (2nd edition, or PALT Study II), the Chinese version of the mobile app “Global Chinese Learning Platform”, the “Intelligent Calligraphy on Campus” program, a mobile app for Mandarin Chinese learning, and the “Teaching Preschool Children Mandarin Chinese” initiative.

Since the issuance of the Action Plan for Poverty Alleviation through Mandarin Chinese Promotion 2018-2020, the penetration rate of Mandarin across China has risen to 80.72%, and in less developed regions to 61.56%. During the event it was also reported that with improved Mandarin proficiency, poor people were generally better equipped with vocational skills and thus more motivated to lift themselves out of poverty by getting a job or starting a business.

The PALT Study II is a selection of significant papers on PALT-related topics, such as the PALT theory and practice, language skills and human capital, and language education for children as a solution to intergenerational poverty.

The release of multiple apps at this event reveals that artificial intelligence companies play a great role in promoting Mandarin in minority-populated regions. Their technical support significantly facilitated the implementation of the project.

Under the guidance of the Policy and Regulation Department of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOPAD) and the MOE’s Department of Language Information Management, the launch was jointly organized by the Commercial Press, iFlytek, Founder Electronics and Beijing Huayan Cultural Development Company.