'Ni hao [Hello]!' Zhaxi greets Zhuoma, both wearing traditional Zang costumes. They are characters in a software program designed to arouse interest in Putonghua among the Zang ethnic group.
At a HKU workshop on education in rural China last month, Eddie Lau Chung-chee, of the university's faculty of education, who devised the program, said the software incorporated elements of both the Han and Zang cultures. 'We want to make it as accessible as possible to Zang children,' he said.
Fluency in Putonghua would improve the chances of ethnic minorities, given knowledge of the language was an entry requirement for mainstream universities.
The software is being tested out in a few schools in Qinghai. But further development is being hindered by a lack of funding.
Mr Lau estimated more than HK$4 million would be needed to provide a comprehensive programme, including teaching materials and training for teachers.
Jasminia Cheung, of Xiao Bian Dan, an NGO started by the alumni of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to provide financial support for students in Guangdong, suggested teachers in Hong Kong could make use of the program to introduce to students the culture and language of the Zang people.