Fears that a falling standard of English is harming Hong Kong's reputation as an international city have prompted government action on its bilingual policy. A government spokesman said yesterday that departments and offices exposed in the Post as having made information available in Chinese only would be contacted. 'Effective communication is key to maintaining Hong Kong's status as an international city for trade, commerce and finance,' he said. 'We remain fully committed to providing user-friendly services to members of the public.' Citizens Party legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai told the Sunday Morning Post that departments including the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Labour Department were falling down in their use of English. The government spokesman said a circular reminding all departments about providing information in English had been issued in late June. But those mentioned by Ms Loh would be contacted again.
