Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language

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China Amends Common Language Law to Expand Mandarin Use

The law’s first overhaul in 25 years incorporates the Communist Party’s latest ethnic policy formulations, reflects the narrowing scope of bilingual education in ethnic schools, and mandates Mandarin use in additional settings.

Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language 
中华人民共和国国家通用语言文字法

[Current Text: Chinese only · 🆚]

(adopted Oct. 31, 2000, effective Jan. 1, 2001; revised Dec. 27, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)

• Status: Revision passed
• Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (N/A)
• Primary Drafters: NPC Education, Science, Culture, and Public Health Committee & Ministry of Education
• Submitter: NPC Education, Science, Culture, and Public Health Committee
• Legislative Plans
  • Five-year: 14^th NPCSC Category I
  • Annual: 2024, 2025
• Legislative History & Text
  • NPCSC deliberation – round #2 (final): Dec. 22–27, 2025 (Current Text 🔝)
  • NPCSC deliberation – round #1: Sept. 8–12, 2025 (Chinese only · 🆚) 💬
    • Public consultation: Sept. 12–Oct. 11, 2025
• Legislative Records
  • Explanation (Sept. 8, 2025)
  • Report on Results of Deliberation (Dec. 22, 2025)
  • Report on Suggestions for Revision (Dec. 26, 2025)
  • Presidential Order (Dec. 27, 2025)

NPC Observer Coverage

• China Amends Common Language Law to Expand Mandarin Use (Jan. 27, 2026)
• NPCSC Session Watch: Cybersecurity, Environmental Tax, Bankruptcy, Arbitration & Mandarin Chinese Promotion (Aug. 26, 2025)

Last updated: January 27, 2026, 12:53 EST