The 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress adopted the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language on December 27. It will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Since its promulgation in 2000 as China’s first dedicated law governing language use, the Law has played a key role in standardizing and expanding the use of the national language and in supporting progress in education, culture, science and technology, economic development, and society at large. Over the past 25 years, profound changes in China’s linguistic landscape and emerging challenges have made revision of the law necessary.

Addressing prominent issues in language use and governance, the revised law comprises five chapters and 32 articles and introduces changes in four areas. First, it stresses Party leadership in language work and explicitly designates the national standard language as the legally mandated nationwide language. Second, it improves rules on language use by introducing new requirements for language use in online audiovisual programs, digital publications, government-run or public-service internet platforms, and international exhibitions and conferences held in China, while further reinforcing schools’ central role in promoting standard language education. Third, it enhances institutional safeguards by requiring governments at or above the county level to incorporate language work into their budgets. Fourth, it clarifies regulatory duties across sectors and adds a dedicated chapter on “legal liability,” including penalties for violations, to strengthen coordinated enforcement.

The Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission will step up efforts to publicize, study, and implement the revised law, aiming to further improve the reach and quality of standard Chinese language use.