Abstract: A national language governance system is an important part of a state governance system.Constructing a scientific state language governance system is a prerequisite for realizing the modernization of the national language governance system and capacity of China. It is also important for building a new pattern for the governance of language affairs and for promoting the high-quality development of language affairs in China. The Chinese state language governance system is one that aims to efficiently manage language affairs，scientifically regulate language resources，properly handle language problems，actively eliminate language poverty，gradually improve resource efficiency，harmonize language affairs and life，effectively safeguard language rights，constantly enhance language vitality，and permanently protect language ecology. As a system to realize the modernization of state language governance，it mainly consists of the structure system，the function system，the institutional system，the method system and the operation system. It is systemic，classed，democratic，heterogeneous，cross-language，and cross-regional. Its construction should follow the principles of historical inheritance， goal orientation， democratic governance，rule-of-law thoughts，and China’s practice.

Key words: state governance, language governance, state language governance, work of language affairs, language management