TNAG-0471-FCO40-536-Use-of-Chinese-as-an-official-language-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 28

Enclosure No. 4

A BILL

To

Provide for the official languages of Hong Kong, and for their

status and use.

Enacted by the Governor of Hong Kong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof.

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Official Languages Short title. Ordinance 1974.

tion.

2. In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires- Interpreta-

"court" means any court, and also means any board, tribunal or person having by law the power to hear, receive and examine evidence on oath.

and their

3. (1) The English and Chinese languages are declared to Official be the official languages of Hong Kong for the purposes of com- languages munication between the Government or any public officer and members of the public.

(2) The official languages possess equal status and, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, enjoy equality of use for the purposes set out in subsection (1).

status and

use.

4. (1) Every Ordinance shall be enacted and published in Legislation. the English language.

ing-

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as restrict-

(a) the use of Chinese words or terms in any Ordinance;

or

(b) the publication of a translation of any Ordinance into

the Chinese language.

5. (1) The proceedings in any court specified in the Judicial Schedule may be conducted in either the English language or proceedings. the Chinese language as the court thinks fit.

Schedule.

(2) Proceedings in-

(a) the Full Court;

(b) the Supreme Court;

(c) the District Court; and