CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
available in both languages. Simultaneous interpretation is provided at meetings of the Legislative Council, Urban Council, Regional Council and other government boards and committees where English and Chinese are used.
A Bilingual Laws Advisory Committee was set up in October 1988 to advise the Governor in Council on, among other things, the authentication of Chinese texts of existing laws which are being translated. Since July 1992, the Chinese text of 57 ordinances have been declared to be authentic. All new principal legislation enacted since April 1989 is in both English and Chinese.
Cantonese is the most commonly-spoken dialect in the territory among the local Chinese community, while Putonghua has gained in popularity as closer ties with China are developed. English continues to be used not only by the expatriate community, but by a wide cross-section of the local community in commercial, financial and professional circles.
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