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M
Reply:
Mr President,
Under the Official Languages Ordinance of 1974, both Chinese and English are our official languages for the purposes of communication between the Government and members of the public. In this context, the public has long been able to deal with the Government in either Chinese or English.
The priority for us now is to further extend the use of Chinese internally within the Government, in line with the social and political development of Hong Kong. Our ultimate objective is a civil service which is bi-literate (Chinese and English) and tri- lingual (Cantonese, Putonghua and English). When that stage is reached, officers could deal with each other in English or Chinese without having to go through translation or interpretation. We have already laid a modest foundation in that Chinese is increasingly used in notices, circulars and correspondence with junior officers; and so is Cantonese at meetings.
A Working Group has been established recently under my chairmanship to develop a practical and pro-active strategy to achieve the above objective. It has to- date:
(a)
(b)
advised on the early introduction of a language proficiency requirement at a pass in a Chinese subject in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education. Examination (HKCEE) for permanent and pensionable appointments to all grades with entry requirement at five passes in the HKCEE or higher qualifications. This we have implemented;
recommended further steps to enhance the use of Chinese in the day-to- day management of the civil service, e.g.
appraisal reports on junior staff;
proceedings of internal meetings;
invitations to selection interviews and appointment letters for the junior ranks; and
valedictory letters.