According to a survey carried out by the State Languages Committee, only 53 percent of people in China can communicate in Putonghua, or Mandarin.

This means nearly half of the population doesn't use Putonghua in their daily communication.

Moreover, among the 53 percent that speak Putonghua, not all of them use it in their daily work and life.

China is a multi-language and multi-dialect country; a product of its long history and agricultural economy.

But as China develops a socialist market economy, the promotion and popularization of Putonghua in the country is becoming more and more important.

(CRI.com May 12, 2005)