The Government's language policy gives equal status to English and Chinese in communicating with the public at large.

In the civil service, written materials meant for the general public, including those related to Government functions, signs and notices posted in Government premises, official forms etc., are bilingual.

It is only in very exceptional circumstances where there are strong operational or financial reasons would communications with the public be done monolingually.  However, replies to individual members of the public are always in the language that is appropriate to the recipients.

It is important to be sensitive to the language needs of the community and ensure that all forms and correspondence meant for the public are bilingual so as to avoid unnecessary confusion and inconvenience. 

Afterall, Hong Kong prides itself as an international city and I am sure we can count on your support to help maintain it as such.

As Non-Government organisations have a significant interface with the public, it is important that they should also be sensitive to the language needs of the community and should ensure that correspondence with the public is bilingual.

(Source: letter issued by Mrs Allcock to Non-Government organisations)