At the end of 2006, Beijing had 4.87 million foreign language
speakers, accounting for 31.6% of its total resident population.
Currently, there are more than 500 volunteers and qualified
trainees who can speak foreign languages and provide services to
Beijing residents.
In early 2000, in order to create a favorable language
environment for Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing Municipal
Government, launched a series of activities related to "speaking a
foreign language in Beijing" in accordance with the principle of
"popular, practical and interesting". The government has gained
great popularity in carrying out foreign language activities. More
than?1 million Beijing residents have got involved.
Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal
People's Government and deputy director of the Organizing Committee
of Speaking Foreign Languages Program Liu Yang said that in early
2002, the Beijing Municipal Government established the Beijing
Organizing Committee for the Speaking Foreign Languages Program and
founded a consulting group composed of foreign language experts. It
also drew up a proposal for Speaking Foreign Languages activities
(2003-2008). The Office of the Beijing Organizing Committee of
Speaking Foreign Languages Activities also cooperated with
departments of the Personnel Bureau of the Beijing Municipal
Government to offer foreign language training to civil servants and
service industry employees. In addition, Beijing launched an
English proficiency test and unfolded a series of activities to
promote foreign languages, such as recruiting volunteers who can
speak foreign languages and provide services during the 2008
Beijing Olympic Games.
In 2007, Beijing will continue to organize a series of
activities such as foreign language parties. By the end of this
year, Beijing will have about 4.93 million people speaking foreign
languages, accounting for 33% of its total resident population.
(People's Daily April 18, 2007)