Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. It is the Government's policy to develop and maintain a civil service that is proficient in both written Chinese and English and conversant in Cantonese, Putonghua and spoken English. While reports and publications of public interest issued by the Government are available in both languages, correspondence with the public is in the language appropriate to the recipients. The Official Languages Division of the Civil Service Bureau monitors the implementation of the Government's language policy in the civil service. It gives language-related support to all government bureaux and departments, including the provision of translation service, the drafting of speeches and editing of important documents in Chinese for senior officers. Simultaneous and consecutive interpretation services are provided at official meetings and functions when necessary.

The division also provides language research and support services. It helps maintain the momentum of wider use of Chinese in the civil service through a wide range of activities including seminars and lectures on Chinese language and culture. It runs a help desk which answers telephone enquiries from civil servants on the use of official languages. The division develops writing aids and reference materials, such as guidebooks on official Chinese writing and English-Chinese glossaries of terms commonly used in government departments. In order to enhance the interest of civil servants in Chinese and English, it publishes a quarterly newsletter entitled Word Power. These publications and reference materials can be accessed at the Civil Service Bureau's home page (www.csb.gov.hk).