Xi Jinping calls for wider use of Mandarin in China’s border areas amid security push

Leader tells Politburo study session that the unity of all ethnic groups ‘like pomegranate seeds tightly held together’ should be promoted

Reading Time:2 minutes

Xi Jinping told Politburo members that maintaining security and stability is the “baseline requirement” for border governance. Photo: EPA

Published: 8:00pm, 10 Dec 2024

President Xi Jinping has called for national security and social stability to be upheld in China’s border regions and for Mandarin to be spoken more broadly in those areas, according to state media.

Addressing a Politburo study session on Monday, Xi said maintaining security and stability was the “baseline requirement” for border governance, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

The Chinese leader said efforts should be made to improve social governance, infrastructure and “the overall ability to defend the country and safeguard the border”.

He told members of the ruling party’s top policymaking body that it was necessary to guide all ethnic groups in border regions to “continuously enhance their recognition of the Chinese nation, Chinese culture and the Communist Party”.

He also said use of the common Chinese language, Mandarin, and nationally unified textbooks should be promoted.

The Politburo held a study session on the history of Chinese border governance on Monday. Photo: Reuters

“We should continue to deepen efforts on ethnic unity and progress, actively build an integrated social structure and community environment, and promote the unity of all ethnic groups – like pomegranate seeds tightly held together,” he said.