China Requires Uyghurs in Aksu to Take Driver’s Exams in Mandarin, Part of Effort to Erase Uyghur Language from Daily Life

Authorities Begin Implementing Mandarin as Mandatory Language for Driver’s License Theory Exams in Parts of Aksu Prefecture, Part of Effort to Erase Uyghur Language from Daily Life.

by Tahir Imin

Feb 18, 2026

Authorities in Aksu Prefecture have begun implementing Mandarin Chinese as the required language for the driver’s license theory examination in several counties, according to a statement shared by local Chinese police on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

The police stated, “Beginning February 15, 2026, the driver’s license theory examination will be conducted in Mandarin in the counties of Kucha, Xinhe, Shayar, and other parts of Aksu Prefecture. All applicants are required to take the theory exam in Mandarin. This requirement applies not only to first-time candidates but also to those who have already completed earlier stages of the licensing process and are preparing to take subsequent examinations, including the final stage. This measure is currently being implemented only in certain counties of Aksu Prefecture and does not apply to the entirety of Xinjiang. It is not yet clear whether it will be expanded to other regions or whether it is a temporary arrangement. There is no confirmed timeline regarding whether the original policy will be restored. Individuals who are in the process of obtaining their driver’s licenses are advised to complete their examinations as soon as possible.”

The Chinese government has banned the use of the Uyghur language in government institutions, education, and even in prisons and re-education camps, allowing it only in daily life outside official settings. This policy has greatly restricted the language’s vitality, while Mandarin is being imposed across nearly every aspect of public and private life.

Aksu Prefecture, located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, serves as a key geographic gateway connecting southern “Xinjiang” (the Tarim Basin) and northern “Xinjiang” (the Junggar Basin), including via the Duku Highway. Due to its strategic location, observers have previously described Aksu as a site where certain policy measures are introduced before broader regional implementation.

Chinese authorities in recent years also began implementing the practice of raising the national flag inside mosques in Aksu before similar measures appeared elsewhere. On October 1, 2013, the practice of raising the national flag inside mosques began in Aksu Prefecture. Uyghur Times has previously reported that Uyghur women in Aksu were forced to wear traditional Chinese attire during major Chinese holidays, including Lunar New Year and National Day.

According to 2022 demographic data, Aksu Prefecture has a permanent resident population of approximately 2.73 million. Uyghurs account for 75.9% of the population, while Han Chinese make up 22.9%. The slight difference between permanent and registered population figures may reflect migration patterns.