Chinese simplified characters were first introduced in mainland China in the 1950s as a way to increase literacy rates and make reading and writing easier for the masses. The simplified characters were based on the traditional characters used in China but with a simplified stroke structure that made them easier to write and read. The adoption of simplified characters was part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to promote modernization and increase literacy rates in China. The population quickly embraced the simplified characters, becoming the standard writing system in mainland China. Evolution of the Chinese language As China's economy grew and the country became more connected to the world, simplified characters became more widespread outside of China. Simplified Chinese is now the dominant writing system used in China, Singapore, and Malaysia and is also commonly used in other countries with significant Chinese-speaking populations. The Chinese governm