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

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

“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..