Online publications such as online games should use the standard spoken and written Chinese language as their basic language, according to the second draft of a revision to the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, which was further reviewed on Monday at the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Photo:VCG

Online publications such as online games should use the standard spoken and written Chinese language as their basic language, according to the second draft of a revision to the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, which was further reviewed on Monday at the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

The draft law was previously submitted for initial deliberation and released for public consultation. Some members of the NPC Standing Committee, NPC deputies, relevant departments, local authorities, and members of the public suggested further regulating the use of the standard spoken and written Chinese language in cyberspace and making explicit provisions on language use in online publications, according to Xinhua.

To better leverage the role of the standard spoken and written Chinese language in international exchanges, the second draft also specifies that international exhibitions, international conferences, and other such events held within China that require the use of foreign languages for signs, notices, and promotional materials should also use the standard spoken and written Chinese language. 

The document further states that international Chinese language education should teach the standard spoken and written Chinese language and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations through international exchange and cooperation, Xinhua reported. 

At a press conference held on December 19, Huang Haihua, spokesman for the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, briefed the media on the legislative bills scheduled for deliberation at the current session.

According to Huang, members of the public actively put forward opinions and suggestions. During the public consultation period from September 12 to October 11, when the draft revision was released on the official website of the NPC for public comment, a total of 5,928 participants submitted 8,508 comments, and 14 letters were also received.

"The public's suggestions mainly focused on strengthening the promotion and popularization of the standard spoken and written Chinese language, clarifying norms for language use, refining the division of responsibilities among relevant departments, and improving safeguard measures," Huang told the media conference.

Wang Deyan, director of the Chinese Language Department at the School of Liberal Arts and Law of North China University of Technology, said that clarifying language norms for online publications would not simply be a matter of linguistic regulation but reflects a broader effort to adapt language regulation to the realities of the digital age.

"Cyberspace has become one of the most active arenas for language creation and dissemination. While this vitality should be respected, it also requires clear and stable norms," Wang said. He noted that requiring online games and other digital publications to use the standard spoken and written Chinese language helps ensure effective communication across regions and generations, and prevents excessive fragmentation of language use in the online environment.

Wang added that the revised law places language policy within a wider framework of cultural development and international exchanges. "Strengthening the role of the standard spoken and written Chinese language in both cyberspace and international settings will contribute to a more confident and coherent presentation of Chinese culture in the global arena," he said.