The dominant language of China is Mandarin Chinese, also known as Putonghua or Standard Chinese. It is the most widely spoken language in the world, with over a billion speakers. Mandarin serves as the official language of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, and it is one of the four official languages of Singapore. Its widespread use is fostered by government policies aimed at promoting a unified national language. While various dialects and regional languages exist throughout China, Mandarin's role in education, media, and government solidifies its status as the dominant linguistic force in the country.