Volunteers from the Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province in northwest China, teach Miao children Mandarin in a county in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China on July 29. The Miao are an ethnic minority group living mostly in south and southwest China (XINHUA)

In Imamlirim, a town in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, a primary school started by a local teacher teaches Mandarin to help children from the Uygur ethnic minority group, who mostly speak Uygur at home, communicate better. Kurban Niyaz, a local lad who became a Mandarin teacher, started the school to do something for his hometown. 

There are 56 ethnic groups in China. To break through the barriers of different dialects and deepen communication and understanding among people across regions, the Constitution stipulates nationwide use of Mandarin. Promotion of a commonly used language also focuses on promoting cultural integration. The Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, adopted in 2000, set the status of Mandarin and standard Chinese characters as the national general language.

The Constitution also stipulates that all ethnic groups have the freedom to use and develop their languages and cultures and to maintain or reform their customs and habits. That respects the cultural diversity of the ethnic groups, reflects the principle of equality and shared prosperity of all ethnic groups, and promotes the economic and social development of all ethnic minority areas.

In the 17 years since the school was started, students are flocking to it to learn Mandarin since the national curriculum is taught in Mandarin. That also means the traditional Uygur culture can be significantly promoted through Mandarin, contributing to national integration.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guangming Daily on September 17 

(Print Edition Title: Bridging the Language Gap)