The Legality of Traditional Characters

[ParkeNYU]

The two articles below discuss the illegality of traditional Chinese characters in the People's Republic of China:

 

http://sz.oeeee.com/Channel/content/2006/200603/20060304/406714.html

 

http://www.shyywz.com/jsp/index/show.jsp?id=4453&newsType=157

 

However, after having spent only a few days in Shenzhen, I have encountered hundreds of traditional characters displayed publicly and prominently, in a variety of contexts and locales. Is this law simply not enforced? They are too outward and numerous to ignore. Perhaps this is a phenomenon unique to Shenzhen, due to its proximity to Hong Kong and Macau?

 

 

(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

[renzhe]

It is my understanding that traditional characters are fine on signs, partly due to tradition (Qinghua and Beida) and partly due to their perceived beauty.

[889]

This has been going on for decades. Some of the most orthodox of Chinese institutions, like the Bank of China and Qinghua University, have always used logos with traditional characters.

[Meng Lelan]

Many historical and artistic sites in China will display traditional characters. A mainland friend once told me that traditional characters are used to symbolize elegance and having a long distinguished history. Similar to what renzhe said. 

[maomao2014]

It is a shame that government bans traditional characters. I always see the traditional character signs especially at tourist interests places with calligraphy written by government officials.

[liuzhou]

Legality in China is a shape-shifting concept. It really depends on what mood the local party secretary is in. If he didn't enjoy lunch or didn't get his end away last night then it's illegal.

If his concubine does her job and dinner is up to par, then you can write in any script you choose.

[Meng Lelan]

Well, I don't know about that. 

[hedwards]

I thought they had an exception for trademarks. I could be wrong, but I had heard somewhere that you couldn't use traditional characters on things that people needed to read, but they could be used for trademarked logos as those don't need to be read in most cases to be understood.

[ParkeNYU]

On my first night in Shenzhen, I had a late supper at The Laurel Restaurant (丹桂龫). Their menu was written in English and traditional Chinese characters, with no simplified characters to be found. Other than that, and some chalk prose wrought on the pavement, I've encountered traditional characters almost exclusively on signboards, posters, temples, and advertisements.