*There is no other single overview of modern Chinese character development; *Indicates that technology and character development are highly related, opening a new research topic and perspective; *All-inclusive review and evaluation of many different literatures on the subject, in both English and Chinese; *Presents the most comprehensive synthesis and analysis of major developments in reforming programs in modernizing the Chinese writing system

This book presents the most comprehensive synthesis and analysis of major developments in reforming programs in modernizing the Chinese writing system. It traces the language policy and planning related developments for Chinese characters, with particular emphasis on post-1950 period in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the more recent challenges that technology, and particularly the World Wide Web, have posed for the language.