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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
techniques and practices in order to ensure that the public service possesses the right mix of officers in terms of numbers, experience, qualifications and skills to achieve its objectives and goals. Particular care and attention is paid to the selection and grooming of senior government officials.
Proper training plays a crucial role in ensuring that public servants are able to fulfil their existing responsibilities and meet new challenges in an effective and efficient manner. The Civil Service Training Centre conducts a wide range of management, language and computer courses and co-ordinates the training undertaken by public servants at local and overseas institutions. The centre also provides advice and assistance to departments on all training matters.
The Senior Staff Course Centre, first established on an experimental basis in 1984, is now a permanent feature of the management training offered to senior public servants. The centre is primarily concerned with the running of two three-month senior manage- ment development programmes each year. Participation by private sector executives is encouraged.
Language
The official languages of Hong Kong are English and Chinese. The government has taken the lead in ensuring that both English and Chinese languages are used in its communica- tions with the public. Major government reports and publications of public interest are now available in both languages. In addition, simultaneous interpretation services are provided at meetings of the Legislative Council, Urban Council, Regional Council, District Boards and other government boards and committees. The majority of the local Chinese community speak Cantonese, a South China dialect, and interest in learning to speak Putonghua (Mandarin) is gaining momentum as closer ties with China are being developed. With the establishment of the Bilingual Laws Advisory Committee, a major step has been taken in the publication of laws in both official languages.
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