Here is a copy from New York Time, an article titled "China: 400 Million Cannot Speak Mandarin". Please see below.
Over 400 million Chinese are unable to speak the national language, and large numbers speak it badly, state news media said Thursday as the government began another push for linguistic unity.
Really? Quite shocking! I believe that everyone receives free education from 1st grade (elementary school) up to high school. School teaches every student in Mandarin, doesn't it? How come so many people cannot speak Mandarin, an official Chinese language?? NYT got the wrong information???
Over 400 million Chinese are unable to speak the national language, and large numbers speak it badly, state news media said Thursday as the government began another push for linguistic unity.
Really? Quite shocking! I believe that everyone receives free education from 1st grade (elementary school) up to high school. School teaches every student in Mandarin, doesn't it? How come so many people cannot speak Mandarin, an official Chinese language?? NYT got the wrong information???