Language Policy of the PRC at the Present Stage (2021–2024): Main Directions and Features of Implementation

The purpose of the article is to identify the main directions of the language policy of the PRC at the present stage (2021–2024) based on the analysis of regulatory documents and the system of activities carried out in the field of language and writing, as well as the characteristic features of its implementation. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the main directions of the language policy of the PRC at the present stage are: 1) further popularization and dissemination of Putonghua; 2) further formation of the norms of the commonly used Putonghua language and the system of normative hieroglyphic writing and their consolidation in various standards; 3) improving the processes of inheritance and development of the Chinese language and culture; 4) development of a modern high-quality state system of language services provided to the population; 5) protecting China's linguistic and cultural diversity; 6) strengthening the spread of Chinese Putonghua abroad, strengthening the international status and influence of the Chinese language. The characteristic features of the implementation of the language policy of the PRC at the present stage were also identified, including the functioning of a new regulatory framework that determines the directions of language policy after 2020; intensive development of existing and implementation of new projects; expansion of the processes of normatization and standardization to all aspects and areas of language and writing; using a specialized exam/test as a tool for measuring language proficiency; complete transition of preschool education in national regions to the Putonghua language and transformation of the existing bilingual education system; the success of informatization and digitalization of the Chinese language and its hieroglyphic writing.