China's Mandarin-Only Policy: Minority Languages Sidelined by 2026 Law

• China plans a major legal overhaul by March 2026 to prioritize Mandarin Chinese in education and public life.
• The revised Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress will make Mandarin the primary language in schools, universities, and official communication.
• Minority languages like Tibetan, Uyghur, and Mongolian will be reduced to optional subjects, no longer mediums of instruction.
• Critics view this as part of China's "Sinicization" agenda, aiming for cultural assimilation and eroding linguistic diversity.
• Mandarin's mandatory use will extend to digital platforms, online content, games, and internet communication from January 2026.