As we know, Chinese is the legacy of our nation that represents indigenous culture and national spirit. Actually, for Chinese enterprises, our own language is a very helpful transmission mechanism for the establishment of corporate culture. Until recently, the rejuvenation of Sinology and home education indicates a rising awareness of saving our mother language and traditional culture. The proposal to make Chinese a compulsory course for all college students reminds us of the meaning of our mother tongue.

Xuan Huahua (Peninsula City News): Chinese is so important for us because it represents our nation and is a communication tool and knowledge reserve for the Chinese people. To some extent, it determines the wisdom of the Chinese people. China's rich cultural tradition gives our language boundless meanings, and the study of that could be endless. If interrupted during higher education, the study could be harder to continue later.

Of course, today's rejuvenation might not necessarily make for better change. The authorities should look more into compilation of teaching materials and design Chinese courses to arouse students' interest. It may be a long process, which demands effort and coordination from different perspectives, but through which the vigor of the language can be maintained.

Sun Lizhong (Jinan Times): It is time to correct those universities that overemphasized English rather than Chinese. In other words, as part of liberal education, Chinese in higher education is obviously a necessary element.

The concept of liberal education, created by Western education experts, advocates non-utilitarian, wide-ranging education, and Chinese learning, as an indispensable part of the whole, will be of great help in tradition cultivation.

Chinese losing popularity

Yang Zhizhu (Nanfang Weekend): Those who argue for Chinese are always making comparisons between our mother tongue and English. Despite an overemphasis on the latter, it is unfair to suppress it. We start to learn English at primary schools, or even junior middle schools in poverty-stricken areas, while we have been learning Chinese since we were born, from other family members or school peers. The misspelling and poor expressions in Chinese should be avoided at early schooling when basic composition is taught.

The improvement of Chinese literacy could be more efficient via education reforms of the current system, particularly at high schools. No matter English or Chinese, the earlier we start learning, the better. It seems to be a waste of time to begin elementary Chinese training at universities.

Zhao Yong (Modern Express): Chinese qualifications should be achieved at the early ages of our students.

Academician Zheng Shiling of the Chinese Academy of Sciences found in his survey that, Chinese doubles English in terms of teaching hours at primary schools, and equals it in junior middle schools, while English surpasses Chinese in senior middle schools, and dominates Chinese at universities.

The poor performance in Chinese of our students indicates insufficient early education, essentially, utilitarianism in course design--what is popular among employers will be emphasized. If Chinese is equally necessary in the job market, it won't lose popularity the way it is now.

Li Shaoqiang (Chengdu Evening News): Generally speaking, languages function like a communication tool for people, and improve our study ability, since it enables us to read. There is no need to ask for compulsory Chinese for all students, if non-Chinese majors have no problems in daily use of talking, reading and writing.

Li Xingwen (Beijing Youth Daily): To tell the truth, Chinese is losing popularity with some youth. They are neither proficient in writing essays, nor good at historical analects. Some graduates from secondary schools cannot write well. However, there are exceptions and we should not simply define what is compulsory or not for every individual.

Universities may set tests on Chinese grammar and composition to give qualifications to graduates like they do in English. And it can be optional for those who are gifted and interested in Sinology, but not for irrelevant majors.

Ding Dong (The Beijing News): It is too late to learn basic Chinese at universities. The education authorities have added too many compulsory courses over the past decades. Compared to 20 years ago, our students have to spend much more time on campus, rather than on social activities. It might be harmful for their natural development. Changes in curriculum should be made, but not that dramatically.