Since the late 1970s, English has been one of three core subjects for students in China, along with math and Chinese.

What we found

Supports. The New York Times reports that since the late 1970s China has embraced teaching English, which is one of three core subjects along with math and Chinese.[1]

Supports. A 2025 academic chronology notes English has long been one of the three most important subjects (with mathematics and Chinese) from primary through college, and that English education was restored in the late 1970s alongside the resumed college entrance exam.[2]

Supports. A 2026 VnExpress report says English currently ranks alongside Chinese and mathematics as one of the three core subjects in China's basic education system.[3]

Supports. A 2023 academic article describes English as taught compulsorily alongside Chinese and maths in primary and secondary schools, consistent with the core-subject status.[4]

Context. The Times of India's coverage repeats the late-1970s and three-core-subjects framing, but it likely echoes the same underlying reporting rather than providing independent corroboration.[5]

Sources

5 sources: 1 tier 2, 4 not rated

1. 1In the Age of A.I., Some in China Wonder if Learning English Is ...nytimes.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
2. 2English major education in China: a chronological analysisdialnet.unirioja.es · not rated · cited for: supports
3. 3Chinese math tutor sparks debate for downgrading English in public ...e.vnexpress.net · not rated · cited for: supports
4. 4From 'Main Course' to 'Side Dish?' Debates about ...tandfonline.com · not rated · cited for: supports
5. 5A Maths teacher's social media post on English has gone ...timesofindia.indiatimes.com · not rated · cited for: context

Where this claim was made

Said in 1 published post

• The Headlines · Sep 16, 2026“In China, since the late 19 seventies, schools across the country have embraced teaching English... and English is one of three core subjects there for students, along with math and Chinese.”Post →

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