TNAG-0305-FCO40-341-Use-of-Chinese-as-official-language-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 105

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SECTION C: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

To declare the English and Chinese Languages the Official Languages of the Crown Colony of Hong Kong and to make general, provisions with regard to their status, usage in specific areas, and matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.

PART I

Short title and Application

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Official Languages

Ordinance,

2. This Ordinance shall be binding on the Crown.

short title

application

PART II

Interpretation

3. "Official Language" or

11

(Fat Ting U Man) means a language authorised for communication between Government and the public that can be demanded as of right in areas specified in this Ordinance.

"Chinese", in its oral form, means the Cantonese dialect and Mandarin.

interpretation

(4th Report #25)

PART III

Status and Usage

4. Both the English Language and the Chinese Language

shall be the official languages of the Crown Colony of Hong Kong, and shall enjoy equal status.

5. Either English or Chinese may be spoken in open

meetings of the Legislative Council and Urban Council and all Government Boards and Committees

6. Chinese and English shall be used for oral and

written communication between Government and the public in areas specified in Schedule I

7. The presiding official of a Magistrates' Court or

quasi-jucidial bodies of comparable rank shall have the discretion to conduct the spoken part of the preceedings in "nglish and/or Chinese.

W

status

usage in Legco, Urbco and Govt. committees (1st #38)

communication between Govt. and public (2nd #49) Schedule I

magistracies (3rd P.24/6)

(3rd P.12)

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