The MOE held a major event in Kashgar, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 22 to celebrate the 27th National Mandarin Promotion Week. This year’s theme, “Promoting the Use of Mandarin to Build a Linguistic Foundation for a Stronger Nation,” underscores the government’s commitment to expanding the use of the national language across the country. Senior officials, including Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, Party Secretary of Xinjiang Ma Xingrui, and Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Erkin Tuniyaz, attended the event.
In his speech, the minister stressed the importance of promoting Mandarin as a cornerstone of national unity and identity. Huai referred to President Xi Jinping’s call during the National Education Conference on Sept. 9–10 to further expand the use of the national language. The minister emphasized that Mandarin plays a vital role in unifying the nation, both fostering a shared cultural identity and supporting the nation’s long-term development goals.
In addition, Huai outlined key areas where the government aims to advance the use of Mandarin. These include integrating the national language more deeply into the educational system, particularly through the use of state-issued textbooks, and enhancing Mandarin education in schools across all regions. He also highlighted the need to provide additional language training in vocational schools, ensuring that people across the country, including those in remote regions, are proficient in the language. The promotion of Mandarin, he said, would also support broader socioeconomic development, serving as a “bridge” for communication and collaboration both within China and internationally.
Xinjiang, a region with a diverse population and multiple languages, is a focal point for these language promotion efforts. According to Tuniyaz, President Xi Jinping has placed particular emphasis on expanding Mandarin education in Xinjiang. Tuniyaz also noted that promoting the national language in Xinjiang is seen as essential for social stability and unity, and significant progress has already been made in expanding Mandarin education across schools and communities in the region.
The event also served as an opportunity to further advance initiatives aimed at improving Mandarin literacy throughout the country. Chief among these initiatives is the “Vocational Skills + Mandarin” program, which combines language training with job skills development, making Mandarin more accessible and practical for individuals entering the workforce.
The event saw the participation of educators, local government officials, and community representatives, who discussed their experiences with language promotion in various sectors, from schools to public services.
In addition to these discussions, the MOE and the National Language Commission gifted Xinjiang with digital resources, including a “Mandarin Reading Library” for primary and secondary schools. The donation is intended to help boost language learning at the grassroots level.
National Mandarin Promotion Week has been a recurring event celebrated on the third week of each September, with a focus on expanding Mandarin proficiency across China’s diverse regions. This year's activities, carried out by various schools, industries, and government sectors, align with the country’s broader educational goals and efforts to foster unity ahead of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
