China's State Councilor, Liu Yandong, urged the public on Thursday to make a greater effort to popularize the standard Chinese language, both in its spoken and written form.

Addressing a symposium to mark the 10th anniversary of the Law on Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, Liu said popularizing the standard Chinese language is vital for "carrying out the Chinese culture, enhancing the country's soft power, national unification and unity among all ethnic groups."

The language law, which took effect in 2001, sets Putonghua, or Mandarin, and the standardized Chinese characters as the standard spoken and written Chinese language, as well as China's official language.

Liu asked relevant authorities to improve the general public's capability to use standard language, set up a scientific appraisal system, and step up monitoring of the society's language environment and service.

She also called on strengthened efforts to bring the Chinese language and culture to the world to enhance the country's soft power.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2011)