XN000022-1978-12-10 — Page 4

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1978

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MORE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS BEING RECRUITED

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THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF RECRUITING MORE THAN 70 LANGUAGE OFFICERS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TO COPE WITH THE WORKLOAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE GROWING USAGE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS (CHINESE LANGUAGE), MRS. KATHERINE FOK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED TO 245 MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT IN 1971.

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+HALF OF THE ADDITIONAL POSTS FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILLED AND THE REST WILL BE TAKEN UP SOON, MRS. FOK SAID.

IN ADDITION, MRS. FOK SAID, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING TO CREATE MORE SENIOR CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICER POSTS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HOUSING, LABOUR AND THE POLICE TO IMPROVE THE USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN GOVERNMENT'S COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.

+APART FROM THE STAFF INCREASE, INTENSIVE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ARE ORGANISED ANNUALLY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT BUSINESS,+ SHE ADDED.

MRS. FOK POINTED OUT THAT ALL IMPORTANT PUBLIC DOCUMENTS OF COMMUNITY-WIDE INTEREST ARE NOW PUBLISHED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S BUDGET SPEECH, OTHER PUBLIC SPEECHES AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS OF ENQUIRY, GREEN PAPERS AND WHITE PAPERS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PUBLICITY MATERIAL ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

ON THE USE OF CHINESE WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS. FOK SAID MANY INTERNAL NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS AFFECTING THE BENEFIT AND DISCIPLINE OF CIVIL SERVANTS ARE ALSO PUBLISHED IN CHINESE. MOREOVER, MANY INTERNAL TRAINING COURSES ARE NOW CONDUCTED IN BOTH LANGUAGES.

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