China has rolled out updated English-language textbooks for primary and secondary schools, significantly altering content to focus on Chinese history, culture, and state achievements. This initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster patriotic education and present a favorable image of China internationally.
The changes began following the introduction of a new national curriculum in March 2022. The revised textbooks started being used in the fall of 2024, initially for first-grade primary and seventh-grade secondary students, with plans to cover all grades by 2026. Additionally, a ban on textbooks published abroad for primary and lower secondary schools was implemented in 2020.
While some educators and parents view these changes positively, believing they foster cultural confidence among students, others express concerns about the reduction of exposure to English-speaking cultures. Critics argue that the textbooks may promote Chinglish, affecting the quality of English language education.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the need for these educational materials to align with the correct political and value orientation, supporting the broader cultural policies promoted by President Xi Jinping.
