Chinese dialects in decline as government enforces Mandarin

Linguists concerned as regional languages dwindle amid push to strengthen uniform national identity

Two years ago, Qi Jiayao visited his mother's hometown of Shaoxing in eastern China. When he tried to speak to his cousin's children in the local dialect, Qi was surprised. None of them was able to," recalls the 38-year-old linguist, who now teaches Mandarin in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

The decline in local dialects among the younger generation has become more apparent in recent years as China's president, Xi Jinping, has sought to strengthen a uniform Chinese identity. Mandarin is now being spoken by more than 80% of China's population, up from 70% a decade ago. Last month, China's state council vowed to increase the figure to 85% within the next four years.