City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and the State Language Commission (SLC) signed the second collaborative agreement on 13 June for the University to continue administering the National Putonghua Proficiency Test and to offer preparatory courses. The new agreement expands the scope of the Putonghua courses to encompass the whole of Hong Kong.

 

The signing ceremony for the agreement was officiated by Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, and Professor Yao Xishuang, Director of Institute of Applied Linguistics at the Ministry of Education and Director of Putonghua Training and Assessment Centre of the SLC. Guests of honour attending the ceremony included Mr Han Qizhou, Vice Director of Institute of Applied Linguistics and Vice Director of Putonghua Training and Assessment Centre, Mr Liu Pengjian, Director of the Office of Institute of Applied Linguistics, Associate Professor Wang Hui, Director of Putonghua Assessment Department. Professor David Tong Shuk-yin, Deputy President of CityU, and Ms Jennifer Ng Glok-hong, Principal of the Community College of City University, also participated as signatory witnesses during the ceremony.

 

The agreement served as further evidence of CityU's emphasis on the promotion of language proficiency for students and local citizens. "CityU's Putonghua Training and Assessment Centre is part of the University's greater contribution to the technological, social and financial development of Hong Kong," Professor Kuo said. With an increasing number of cultural exchanges and greater trade between Hong Kong and the mainland, the demand for Putonghua competency has grown rapidly. Professor Kuo said CityU would fully utilise its strengths and work closely with the SLC to better serve Hong Kong.

 

Professor Yao expressed his gratitude to CityU for promoting Putonghua. "The collaboration with CityU is a great success. We look forward to continuing our work with CityU in promoting and improving Putonghua standards," Professor Yao said.

 

Established in 2005, the Putonghua Training and Assessment Centre is operated by the Division of Language Studies from the Community College of City University, which offers preparatory courses while also processing applications and managing administrative duties. When the second agreement comes into effect, the centre will be open to all Hong Kong citizens for training and assessment. Preparatory courses for the December assessment will be offered in September.