Here's why:
* Logographic nature: Chinese characters represent words or concepts, not sounds. Unlike alphabetic languages where letters represent sounds, the meaning of a character is independent of the spoken language.
* Consistency across dialects: While spoken Chinese has many dialects, the written language remains largely consistent. A character written in Mandarin will have the same meaning for someone speaking Cantonese or Wu. This allows for seamless communication between speakers of different dialects.
* Accessibility across social classes: Literacy was historically easier to achieve in Chinese than in other languages, as learning a limited set of characters could convey a wide range of meanings. This allowed for greater social mobility and communication across different social strata.
* Continuity over time: The Chinese writing system has remained remarkably stable over centuries, allowing for the preservation of ancient texts and cultural heritage. This has facilitated the study of history and literature for generations.
* International communication: While modern Chinese has many dialects, the written language provides a common ground for communication with people across the world who learn Chinese.
However, it's important to note that the Chinese writing system also has some disadvantages:
* Complexity: Learning to read and write Chinese requires memorizing thousands of characters. This can be a significant hurdle for those learning the language.
* Limited flexibility: The logographic nature of Chinese can make it difficult to adapt to new concepts or foreign words.
Overall, the Chinese writing system's key advantage is its ability to bridge linguistic and regional differences, enabling communication and cultural continuity across vast distances and through time.