Letter From Beijing

Little county's claim to fame: Its residents speak perfect Mandarin

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The small county of Luanping in Hebei province is known as “the home of putonghua”, or Mandarin. It runs pronunciation tests that teachers, newscasters and public servants nationwide are required to pass.
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BEIJING - Flanked by mountains with a view of the Great Wall just two hours from Beijing is a small county of 320,000 people that has a reputation of national and historical proportions.

Luanping, in north-eastern Hebei province, is known as the home of putonghua, or Mandarin, the main official language of the People's Republic of China.

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