China Media Group and the Ministry of Education have released a new project to help schools better teach standard Chinese. They've launched a reading library for primary and middle schools focused on Mandarin - and its pronunciation - in a country with a multitude of dialects. Our Su Yuting has more.  

"Motherland, Dear Motherland", announcers and students gathered together to read this famous poem together in standard Chinese.

It marks the launch of a reading library for primary and middle schools. Shen Haixiong, deputy head of Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the head of China Media Group and Chen Baosheng, minister of education, have jointly launched the first 100 audio texts, aiming to promote Mandarin.

The audio texts, that are made to be read along to, are made by more than 70 top-level anchors, announcers and top-level technicians from China Media Group. And it's expected to reach 150 million primary and middle school students and more than 9 million teachers nationwide.

FU CHENGLI READER OF AUDIO TEXTS "If children from across the country can hear and learn standard Putonghua, it will be helpful in popularizing Putonghua. Because if people learn from a very young age, it will be easier for them to grasp the standard pronunciation of the Chinese language."

In order to ensure the authority and success of the "audio language teaching materials", the China Media Group and the Ministry of Education have set up a special committee composed of experts to review, examine and verify the texts in order to meet the national standard of pronunciation.

PROFESSOR YAO XISHUANG COMMUNICATION UNIVERSITY OF CHINA "The entire set of work represents the highest level of standard Putonghua. The highest quality is ensured by the most authoritative experts with the highest standards of reading ability and the most rigorous checking procedures. As a member of the Audit Committee, I think reading the texts aloud in standard Mandarin lets us fully appreciate the vividness and appeal of Chinese language and culture."

SU YUTING BEIJING "The audio Chinese language teaching materials cover all Chinese texts for primary and middle schools, which are approved by the Ministry of Education. Officials say this move aims to cherish Chinese culture, as well as allow students to hear and learn standard Chinese, and enjoy equal educational resources. Su Yuting, CGTN, Beijing."