The Center for the Protection and Research of Language Resources of China was established in May 2015 as a national-level language research institution, jointly founded and administered by the Department of Language Information Management under the Ministry of Education and Beijing Language and Culture University. Under the guidance of linguistic theories, the Center’s primary missions include establishing standards for the protection of language resources in China; employing modern technological methods to organize and conduct language resource surveys and preservation efforts; cultivating high-level, high-quality research talent in language resource protection; and developing multimedia, multi-channel, and multi-purpose research outcomes and application products derived from language resources. These efforts aim to promote awareness of language resource preservation, pass on outstanding traditional culture, and support socioeconomic development as well as the building of a culturally strong nation. In accordance with the unified arrangements of the Ministry of Education and the National Language Commission, the Center’s current core task is to oversee the implementation and management of the major language and cultural project "The Chinese Language Resources Protection Project," led by the Ministry of Education and the National Language Commission.
As the secretariat of the Language Resources Protection Project, it provides professional support for the investigation and preservation of language resources, organizing national expertise to conduct surveys and gather language resources from 1,834 survey points across 34 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities—including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan—covering nearly 130 languages and their major dialects. In collaboration with technical teams, it has established the world’s largest standardized repository of language and cultural resources—the Language Resources Protection Project’s Collection and Display Platform (zhongguoyuyan.cn).
In terms of landmark achievements, we have compiled the "Collection of Chinese Language and Culture" (50 volumes) and the "Records of Endangered Languages in China" (50 volumes), creating the largest collection of original and salvage language and cultural achievements in China. We also authored and published the "Handbook for Chinese Language Resource Surveys: Chinese Dialects" and the "Handbook for the Collection of Chinese Dialect Culture." Based on these efforts, we developed four recommended national standards: the "Specifications for the Investigation of Chinese Language Resources Protection" and the "Work Standards for Chinese Language Resources Protection." These standards were approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) and will come into effect on March 1, 2026. The successful release of these four standards marks a breakthrough in the field of national standards for the protection and investigation of Chinese dialects, ethnic minority languages, dialect culture, and language resource preservation within China. Additionally, we promoted the translation and publication of the standards for language resource protection, titled "Norms and Standards for Language Resources Protection in China," and participated in drafting and releasing UNESCO’s "Yuelu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of Linguistic Diversity."
As an academic supporting unit, it participated in the planning, production, and promotion of China's first large-scale language-themed documentary, "China Talk," and published "The Story of Language Protection." It has also maintained the "Yubao" WeChat public account and the website "Yubaowang" for many years, actively exploring new approaches to the protection, inheritance, and development of language resources.
In terms of discipline development and talent cultivation, active participation in the construction of disciplines such as Chinese language and philology and language resource studies has been pursued, with efforts to standardize and normalize the theoretical framework of Chinese dialectology. Annually, nearly 20 doctoral and master's students are enrolled, receiving academic guidance in their specialized fields. Additionally, the concept of language resource preservation is promoted among students in other research areas.
The Chinese Language Resources Protection Research Center has been awarded the Advanced Group in the "Chinese Language Resources Protection Award" by the Ministry of Education and the National Language Commission. This award is the first national-level award in the language and writing field, approved by the National Evaluation and Commendation Coordination Group.
1. Language Treasure Network: chinalanguages.cn
2. "Yubao" WeChat Official Account
3. Language Resources Protection Project Collection and Display Platform: zhongguoyuyan.cn
