According to a new survey by the State Working Committee of Chinese Language, only 53 percent of Chinese are able to communicate in Mandarin, or Putonghua. The survey results were reported by the South China Morning Post and by China Daily. According to the China Daily report, via Sohu: “Only 18 per cent of those surveyed speak putonghua while talking tofamily members, while 42 per cent speak it at school, work or play. Sixty-six per cent of the urban residents speak putonghua, a 21 per cent higher rate than rural residents.” The SCMP report is here (sub required).
Only 53% of mainlanders able to speak Putonghua
Posted by Sophie Beach | Dec 27, 2004
