Is Cantonese recognized by United Nations as a language in China rather than a dialect?

Cantonese is not officially recognized as a separate language by the United Nations; it is classified as a dialect of Chinese. The UN primarily recognizes Mandarin (Putonghua) as the official language of China. However, Cantonese is widely spoken and culturally significant, particularly in regions like Guangdong and Hong Kong. Despite its dialect status, many advocate for its recognition as a distinct language due to its unique features and rich heritage.