Debate in China over demoting English from core-subject status heats up as Liaoning drops history from zhongkao; Hu Xijin calls critics 'extreme and narrow-minded'

Debate over the status of English in China's education system has intensified following Liaoning province's recent decision to exclude history from the zhongkao total score.¹

On 28 August, Liaoning's Educational Department announced that subjects like history, geography, and biology would no longer be included in the zhongkao, prompting Tang Jiafeng, a teacher and social media influencer, to call for English to lose its core-subject status. He expressed his concerns on Toutiao, stating, “The history of Chinese people worshipping foreign things and fawning on foreign countries should end.”²

Tang argued that the emphasis on English is excessive, claiming it detracts from subjects more relevant to students' futures. He stated, “Our children, parents and schools are devoting too much time and resources to a subject that, for the vast majority, has nothing to do with their work after graduation.”

The call to demote English gained traction, topping Weibo's trending list on 5 September. However, Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, dismissed Tang's views as extreme, asserting that English's status is justified due to its role in modernization. He remarked, “Only an extreme and narrow-minded group regarded learning English as xenocentric.”³⁴

Supporters of reducing English's weight argue that with advancements in AI translation, the necessity for English is diminishing, while opponents warn that weakening English education could harm China's global competitiveness in scientific research.