Motion Debate on Promoting the use of English in Hong Kong

Madam President, no Member of this legislature needs to be reminded that the reason so far all Members are speaking to you in English today is because, in Hong Kong, whether we speak in English or Cantonese is purely a matter of personal choice. Many of us use both media, changing from time to time according to the subject of the debate.

In the Liberal party, with our business background, the use of English is essential to further our working lives. In a world-class city like ours, the same applies to many sectors of society. It is not an exaggeration to say that there are a few in our working population who do not need a basic command of English in order to prosper in their daily lives.

English is the language of global commerce and industry. Of even greater importance to us, it is the language of the common law, on which our freedoms are based, and through which all our most vital and far-reaching legal judgements are made.

It is a fact that school leavers and students who have a good knowledge of English have an infinitely wider choice of careers than those who finish their education with poor English skills. The companies which earn most of Hong Kong's vital foreign exchange could not operate without being able to conduct high level business in English.

So, perhaps the most crucial factor, when Hong Kong's economic prosperity hinges on retaining its position as the region's premier service and financial centre, is that English must be fostered and promoted in every possible way. Our Government has made sterling efforts in recent years to promote our bilingual skills, through the Workplace English Campaign. In the two years of its existence, it has received 34,000 applications, of which more than 20,000 have been approved, with the campaign costing of $34 million. This is a major achievement and it leaves no doubt about the importance the Government attaches to language proficiency.

Unfortunately, our English language standards have been slipping. This is very worrying. If we are to stay competitive in an increasingly challenging business environment, we must double our efforts to promote our English language skills.

There are many ways to improve our English language skills. Formal teaching is essential. English teachers' standard is also essential, but we must make English part of our lifestyle so that every citizen can on a daily basis acquire and improve their knowledge. This can be done through English language programmes on radio and television, through bilingual signage on our streets, through advertising in public places. All government notices and forms should return to their old bilingual format. That is the way it is done in rival cities in South East Asia, where, it has to be said, the use and level of English spoken is all too often far ahead of Hong Kong.

Despite that, it is not false pride, and it is no idle boast, to say that this city far outstrips any neighbouring metropolis in the incentives it can offer foreign firms to set up regional headquarters here. Our free flow of information, rule of law, and our infrastructure is second to none. It would be unforgivable if a lack of English skills is to let us down in the increasingly fierce competition for foreign investment.

Madam President, that is why I urge our Government to do everything in its power to promote our second language, in particular by continuing to fund English language schemes, and by encouraging its citizens, across all ages and walks of life, to remember that a good command of English will help them to better jobs, better salaries and fuller lives. In doing so, they will help the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government to maintain its prosperity, and enhance its stature as one of the great cities of the world. Surely that is an aspiration we can all share, and something that with a little application and extra effort, we can all achieve.

Madam President, I wholeheartedly support the Honourable Mrs Selina CHOW's motion.