In view of the enthusiastic response from students and the community, the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research will expand its activities throughout the year to encourage more study and use of Putonghua.

It will launch a new Putonghua-related television programme along with its popular drama, debating and award activities. The time frame for the activities will be expanded to cover the whole year for more students and the public to use and get acquainted with Putonghua.

Since 2002, the committee has been organising large-scale activities to promote Putonghua, attracting more than 220,000 participants. The activities to be held this year include Putonghua performances and training by a professional troupe for 280 schools and the Inter-school Putonghua Debate Competition co-organised with the Chinese University.