XN000022-1993-05-19 — Page 22

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1993

"THE TWO SIDES WILL DECIDE IN DUE COURSE THROUGH MUTUAL THE ANNUAL INCREMENTS OF SUPPLY BEYOND 2000, MR BLAKE

CONSULTATION

SAID.

"

THE CURRENT UNIT PRICE OF WATER SUPPLIED BY CHINA WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1, 1993 TO FEBRUARY 28, 1994 IS HK$1.772 PER CUBIC METRE.

AS AT APRIL 30 THIS YEAR, THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE WAS 302.062 MILLION CUBIC METRES.

PUTONGHUA TRAINING FOR CIVIL SERVANTS INCREASING

SOME 4,600 CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE UNDERGONE PUTONGHUA TRAINING SINCE 1985/86 AND 545 ARE TAKING PUTONGHUA LESSONS AT PRESENT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN ADDITION TO A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES SINCE 1985, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES THE USE OF PUTONGHUA BY CIVIL SERVANTS THROUGH VISITS TO CHINA FOR WHICH INTERPRETATION SERVICE IS NOT PROVIDED.

"TO A LARGE EXTENT, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY COMES WITH PRACTICE, SHE EXPLAINED.

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"ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHINESE STUDIES COURSES IN BEIJING IS ALSO TO IMPROVE THE PUTONGHUA PROFICIENCY OF CIVIL SERVANTS THROUGH IMMERSION TRAINING.

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IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID PUTONGHUA TRAINING

IS COMPULSORY FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS.

"PUTONGHUA PROFICIENCY TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT ON OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ON COMPLETION OF TRAINING," SHE ADDED.

ADMINISTRATIVE EACH STAGE OF

CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE ARE ISSUED ON COMPLETION OF EACH STAGE OF TRAINING AND RECOGNITION OF THE LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY ATTAINED BUT THERE IS NO MONETARY REWARD FOR PASSING LANGUAGE TESTS, SHE SAID.

"WE DO NOT THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO EXPECT A REWARD FOR ACQUIRING A LANGUAGE SKILL THROUGH TRAINING WHICH IS PROVIDED FREE AND WHICH WILL MAKE THEM MORE EFFECTIVE AT THEIR WORK, SHE SAID.

ON THE CHECK ON THE PROFICIENCY OF CIVIL SERVANTS AT LEVELS, MRS CHAN SAID A SURVEY WAS BEING CARRIED OUT ON THE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF THE EXECUTIVE GRADE AND A SIMILAR WOULD BE CONDUCTED AMONG SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.

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SENIOR CHINESE SURVEY

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